BAGS, BAGS, BAGS

What happened to the bags we paid for?
This is a question asked recently by one of our new members. Mike responded by saying that, we were not using the bags yet, because we did not have sufficient quantities to merit using the large, canvas bag. Initially, Judy and Jon Lien were involved in designing the bags; they were made by someone Jon knew on the Southern Shore. The bags were designed to hold up to 30 or 40 lbs. of vegetables, which you can look forward to, when we have lots of carrots, squash and fall vegetables. Mike’s response to the question was only part of the answer. This is an opportunity to provide more information to our new members about how bagging works and to remind everyone what we need from our members in order to make the bag system work efficiently. Here is the long answer.

Half of the Bags Ordered Are Not Ready!
The fact is that less than half of the bags we ordered in early June are ready, so the farm packers decided to use the bags for the larger group which meets on Wednesdays; we are using the temporary bags for the Monday group. We placed orders for the new members on June 6th, with a promise to have the bags ready in not less than three weeks. This is with a small company in Portugal Cove.

First, there was an problem getting the kind of light weight, durable fabric we wanted. We finally settled for a fabric that is heavier. This makes the bags less appealing and more difficult to wash and dry. The production manager is a woman who has been there for years; she works very hard, but has lost two of the people who sew for her since we placed our order. Although this tries our patience, I can also understand it; we have also lost two, quite good people, who came, expecting to stay through the season. When I was managing a service for children with special needs, keeping competent and trained staff was a nightmare.

How bagging works?
It may be a surprise to new members to find that they do not necessarily get new bags the first year and weeks they are in the Veggie Coop. We ordered 60 new bags because we had 30 new members this year. Another 60 or 80 bags are circulating among people who have been members for years. The new bags go into the collection of bags used by all members. Some weeks you may get a new bag; the next week, you may get an “old” bag. Some members keep their bags at home during the winter; others leave them at the farm. If and when members leave, they often keep both bags; others donate or sell their bags back to the farm. However, if you are a new member this year and you do not return next year, we will make every effort to find you the new bags which you purchased this season. As you use different bags, you will find that over the years, the suppliers have had difficulties finding the fabric we prefer. In fact, the bags made in 2006 appear to be the best weight and the easiest to care for. However, the silk screening process was very poor and some actually came off when washed. The silk screening has been improved for the 2007 bags, they have side pockets for your packing slip or grocery list, but the fabric is heavier than we like. And, so goes, the bagging saga!

WHAT WE NEED FROM OUR MEMBERS TO MAKE BAGGING WORK!

1. For returning members, if you didn’t leave your bag at the farm over the winter, please bring your second bag to pick-up on Wednesday, August 15th. The bag sharing system is based on an honour system. We don’t actually keep up with who has put their bags back into the collection. However, if you tell us that you forgot your bag, we will transfer your vegetables into a plastic bag, instead of offering you someone else’s bag.

2. Please empty your bag as soon as possible and turn your bag inside out. This will ensure that no veggie matter is left, to die and rot, making the bag difficult to clean. In the past, we have had bags returned in wicked states, until we started requesting that they be returned inside out. This forces you to look at the actual state of your bag when it is returned.

3. New members will only have one bag. When you get your second bag, please bring the empty bag with you, regularly to pick-up. This makes things go like clockwork. When you get in line for pick-up, you put your empty bag in the empty bag pile, then, go ahead to meet Mike for your new pick-up. If you are a new member, observe the returning members; they know the routine.

What if you forget your bag?
Mike will see to it that you get your veggies and encourage you to do better next time. However, we have been known to go to people’s houses to find a stash of bags on their back porch or in their car trunk. And, in most cases, if this happens, we find rotten vegetables within.

Bag Management Routine.
Try this routine. Bag goes into kitchen. Set bag on floor or chair (not counter) and remove veggies. Turn bag inside out and hang in a clean, arid place, obvious in line of vision when on the way to next pick-up. i.e. back porch or walk-in pantry. Please avoid car trunks and the floor of the back seat of the car, under the feet of the children or dogs. (Been there! Done that!) This often leaves bags smelly, mouldy or dirty, even though they are turned inside out. In these cases, it may take more cleaning because they were turned inside out!!

4. Does the farm wash the bags? Yes, before the season starts, every bag was turned inside out and washed, sterilized and rinsed twice on both sides and hung in the sun to air dry, both the inside and outside. We spent several days getting this done. Louis wrote the procedures as part of our overall, on-farm health and safety procedures. From week to week, we plan to only wash and sterilize the inside of the bags and hang them to air dry while they are still turned inside out. That is why returning the bags inside out, will save us, one step. I have trained three people in the procedures for washing and sterilizing and am working on the most efficient system possible, who will wash, where, hanging space for drying, storage and count for washed bags, etc. This includes marking the bags as they are washed. In June, we were part-way through the washing.. When I was away, things got mixed up. Mike was very frustrated. When I talked to him on the phone from North Carolina, he reported that his field production hands had spent all day washing bags. Not to worry. With your help, things will be under control for rest of season!!