Need-a-Bag Project Update 06.13.09

Note: The Need-a-Bag? project was created to promote sustainable bagging at the Hwy 441 Alachua County Farmer's Market each Saturday morning. We supply reusable tote bags reclaimed from thrift stores and garage sales. The Need-a-Bag? project also utilizes old tank tops as tote bags by sewing up the bottoms (these are called t-totes). We invite you to read the other posts on the project by clicking the "Need-a-Bag? Project" label at the bottom of this post.

It's been awhile since I updated, but lots has happened in the interim. They reopened both the new main shelter and side shelter today, so farmers didn't have to set up in the parking lot to the south of the market. It was nice having everything so conveniently located, although there were grumblings from some shoppers that they liked the parking lot area because there were less crowds and, thus, quicker access to foodstuffs. Here is also the long-awaited photo of the drop box next to the object that people should be using for their cigarillo butts and discarded Chick tract pamphlets.

We now have a permanent labeling station in glovebox of the Honda Fit, so DG can label bags on the way to the market. We used my labels for the new recruits to the Need-a-Bag? project, and I like my labels better just because they have more verbiage.

Before I continue with events of the day, I wanted to give a shout-out to one particular Friend of the Need-a-Bag? project who has been a selfless giver to the project and, I suspect, responsible for some of our anonymous dontations of late. This is a gentleman who comes religiously to the market every week, and a couple of weeks ago bestowed upon us a considerable largesse of amazing tote bags, which he said came from cleaning out his office before it moved to another location. I have not taken the opportunity until now to thank him profusely for his efforts! Please excuse the lateness of this so-deserved thanks -- Thank you very, very much! Who was that masked man?

Anyway, the market was very busy and it was wonderful to see such a large turnout. I realized today, as I wandered the stalls in my usual, unfocused manner, that I am really rather pedestrian in my shopping needs for our household. There have been many market days when I have eschewed any food items merely because I could not hope to cook any of the said items with any consistent frequency. But, lately, I've realized that there are certain items that I will buy and use frequently, such as potatoes and onions. Also, strawberry season has ended but blueberries, cantaloupes, and watermelons have made their way onto the scene, and so while I can and will buy the first two, I still cannot wrap my brain around buying a watermelon and bringing it into my already cluttered house. I just cannot imagine, first of all, how I would ever get the thing in, let alone find an area clean enough for me to cut it up for our family's consumption.

Here is a lovely tote bag for you to admire, and have decided to include these posts with such wonderful representations of tote bags under a new heading, "Tote Bag Spotlight." This one was unfortunately snatched up almost immediately after the opening of the market!