View Full Version : Produce section bags
fastfoxengineering
01-15-2018, 04:10
Anybody use the "free" produce section bags most grocery stores have?
Are the good enough for holding a couple days worth of rice or oats?
They seem like they would hold up OK in a food bag.
I'm tired of buying a box of ziplocks at every resupply and/or carrying a bunch of extras.
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illabelle
01-15-2018, 06:23
I wouldn't hesitate to use them. The plastic can be a little thin and might need more careful packaging and handling. For example, you could just toss a ziplock on the picnic table or shelter floor or even the ground. I wouldn't do that with these bags, and I might double bag.
After putting food in, I'd close and wrap the bag with a rubber band. Put it and similar items in a double grocery bag - they're free too - then into your food bag.
I often use those fold-top sandwich bags (no ziplock) for small quantities of something (even fresh veggies). Wrap with a rubber band, maybe wrap with a half a paper towel if I think there could be moisture leakage.
Also nothing wrong with re-using ziplocks.
grubbster
01-15-2018, 09:18
These also make good VBLs for your feet or hands. Double duty!
StichBurly
01-15-2018, 12:05
Anybody use the "free" produce section bags most grocery stores have?
Are the good enough for holding a couple days worth of rice or oats?
They seem like they would hold up OK in a food bag.
I'm tired of buying a box of ziplocks at every resupply and/or carrying a bunch of extras.
Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
I've worn the bags on my feet before. I've nevered carried food in them.
vr
The Snowman
01-17-2018, 19:14
Have used them on short trips but mostly for fruit or fresh veg's that were not really spillable.
These also make good VBLs for your feet or hands. Double duty!
I was wondering that exact use. Thanks!
Wayne
Feral Bill
01-19-2018, 00:13
Depends on the store. Some have much sturdier bags than others.
AllDownhillFromHere
01-19-2018, 07:35
You are tired of buying bags, so you're looking to steal them?
garlic08
01-19-2018, 08:18
It's a non-issue for me. I only keep dry goods in the ziplocks I carry, and reuse them for up to a month. I carry a couple of spares, and it usually seems possible to pick up a couple in hiker boxes on popular trails. I'll include spares in maildrops on unpopular trails.
I agree with others that the produce bags make great "Bagtex" layers, and that's about it for me, other than day hike lunches.
Puddlefish
01-19-2018, 08:51
You are tired of buying bags, so you're looking to steal them?
I would hope responsible hikers would represent fellow hikers in front of the local communities, by recycling them from produce or nuts/grains they've already bought.
I used a lot of zip-lock bags myself, but I was using them to boil dehydrated meals, something that wouldn't be possible with the produce bags.
These also make good VBLs for your feet or hands. Double duty!
Great idea, though I haven't needed such a thing this year with all my hikes being in 40 degree plus this year.
BTW, someone asked whether we are now into stealing. Nope, would buy whatever and use the bags later.
Sarcasm the elf
01-20-2018, 22:54
You are tired of buying bags, so you're looking to steal them?
The bags are complementary with purchase. If you want to feel morally superior then just quadurple
bag some produce and pay for them by weight.
fastfoxengineering
01-21-2018, 01:44
You are tired of buying bags, so you're looking to steal them?I would actually pay for them when I weigh my loose nuts and oats in them.
Furthermore, I would kindly ask the grocer if I could have a spare or two for other food items I bought from the store.
Stealing. Really?
Never thought about using them as vapor barriers. Thanks for the heads up.
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LucyInColor
02-04-2018, 00:09
In my store there are heavier weight bags near the heavier produce. There are thin bags near leafy greens & heavier bags near the fresh corn & potatoes.
Just collect a good supply of them and you guessed it....throw them into a sturdy Ziplock bag and use them as you go along the trail. A Ziplock bag with 20 of them inside can't weigh very much. Personally, I like Subway sandwich or bread bags for my feet.
Pringles
02-04-2018, 15:50
A way to get lots of smaller, light bags that can be tied is to get baby diaper bags, and doggie do-do bags. You can buy them cheaply, and double bag whatever you feel needs it. I try not to think about the real purpose much...
Produce bags cost your grocer about a penny apiece. I'd bet if you ask a store employee 99.99% of the time they will say "sure, take a few if you want."
Tennessee Viking
02-05-2018, 11:05
A lot of these bags are made of biodegradable cellulose. Heat and moisture will break them done quickly.
I been known to grab some in the past for dog poop bags for my car. Week later they were flaking apart. So use them quickly.
nate.2346
03-01-2018, 17:52
I'd be too concerned with ripping them open, not worth the hassle for me.
Creature Feature
10-13-2020, 20:17
IMO those bags are great for small compact items. They generally are so big that you can twist it and double over and twist it again so then you have a doubled sealed bag.
stephanD
10-14-2020, 08:32
It is always good to have a few extra Ziplock bags. you can use them for garbage once the one that you carry is full, to put in your dirty underwear and socks, extra protection for things you want to keep dry, etc. The rest, if you are in a hostel, just leave in the hiker's box, or give them away on the trail. You will always find somebody who needs one.
After putting food in, I'd close and wrap the bag with a rubber band. Put it and similar items in a double grocery bag - they're free too - then into your food bag.
Just a reminder that many areas are now no longer using/allowing plastic bags at the checkout (NY is supposedly doing so again next week), so that may not be an option in some sections of the trail (though they are still allowed to have the bags in produce, at least here).
stephanD
10-16-2020, 13:00
Just a reminder that many areas are now no longer using/allowing plastic bags at the checkout (NY is supposedly doing so again next week), so that may not be an option in some sections of the trail (though they are still allowed to have the bags in produce, at least here).
In New York City, you have to bring your own bag to take your staff home. But I think the OP is referring to the bags on those rolls for loose produce and other foods like loose breads.
That was the main thing referred to (the produce bags), but the particular reply (that was older) mentioned also putting things in a double grocery bag which are free too, and that part may no longer apply to some areas along the AT (and people travelling to hike from other areas where it's not a rule would likely not even think to check on that).