Package-Free Grocery Shopping

When I began taking a closer look at the things going into the trash can each day, it was immediately apparent that food packaging was the #1 source of our waste. I started to search for places that offered package-free grocery shopping and was amazed to discover so many options.

1. Farmers Markets-

There are 7 markets in the Alachua County area. These are great for picking up local, organic, sticker-free, package-free produce(bring your totes and produce bags). Frequently, there are a variety of other foods that can be found without packaging, or at least in containers that can be returned to the vendors. I buy eggs, honey, mustard, jelly, and flats of strawberries, and bring back the empty containers. I also buy homemade empanadas and lasagna at the farmers market, placing them in containers I bring with me. The vendors experience the direct cost of any type of packaging, so they are thrilled when people bring their own containers or return empties. Some even offer a discount.

From the farmers market- The jars and strawberry flat will
be returned when empty. The empanadas make a delicious
and quick meal anytime during the week.

2. Bulk bins-

Most people think of places like Sam's or Costco when they hear the word 'bulk', but the bulk bins I'm referring to are the ones in grocery stores with the scoops. In Gainesville, these bins are in some Publixes, Earth Origins, Fresh Market, the Gainesville Citizens Co-op, and Ward's. They contain things like rice, beans, flour, sugar, granola, nuts, and pasta.  Customers usually fill up plastic bags with these dry goods, write the item number on a twist tie, then take them to check out. For zero waste, I use my mesh and cotton bags and keep a list of the numbers in my phone to tell the cashier.

3. Salad bars and specialty bars within grocery stores-

The Fresh Market has an olive bar, a prepared seafood bar, and a salad bar. The store provides containers at each station, which I bring back with me and reuse. The variety of ready-made food that is available at these bars is great for quick family meals or for entertaining guests.

4. Deli, meat, and seafood counters-

These are tough because it requires being brave enough to withstand receiving strange looks and possible rejection when requesting to have food put into your own containers. The first time I tried this at a Publix deli, the person behind the counter seemed annoyed, then told me they couldn't honor my request because of contamination issues. I left feeling somewhat stupid, as well as angered, because I knew that what I was asking them to do was not a big deal, just unusual and not part of our culture. Before my next shopping trip, I wavered between trying again or just giving up, but I felt determined to make it work. This time I decided to start by speaking to a manager, explaining the purpose behind my request, and finding out more about the store's official policy. When I first approached him with my questions, the look in his eyes made me think he was contemplating calling security. I was glad I had taken the time to dress somewhat nicely, and I tried to give off the general vibe of someone who was not about to start throwing animal feces. After deciding I was feces free, he told me that he didn't know about any policy in regards to using my own containers, and took me with him to talk to the head of the meat department. They were both extremely nice, and after some discussion, it seemed that my request would be honored. However, my next trip to the deli was met with the same refusal, even after I told them about my discussion with the manager, etc. I then made a phone call to the Publix corporate offices and learned that officially, the concern with contamination is not from the meat(or whatever) being placed into my container, it's from my container coming into contact with their sanitized equipment. Fair enough. This means, however, that they can slice and weigh my food the same as always, but instead of sliding it into their disposable plastic bags, they can place it into my reusable container. At this point, I was a bit tired of making a scene at the deli counter, but I didn't back down, and eventually all the people working at the deli got to know me and now my containers are no big deal. For the record, the Fresh Market has never once questioned my containers and they have the best selection of unpackaged meats, seafood, and ready-made meals that I have found in town. Most people now give me tons of compliments on my use of containers and constantly tell me what a good idea it is.

Sliced turkey from Publix, sliced cheese and wild salmon from Fresh Market.

Shopping without packaging definitely required my family to adjust some of the foods we were eating, which was not always warmly welcomed, but our diet has become varied and healthier as a result. Most packaged foods have been processed in some way, with preservatives added, and sometimes the packaging itself contains undesirable chemicals. It is true that not all unpackaged items are health food, like bulk candy and certain snack foods, but the majority is healthful and is far cheaper than its packaged counterpart.

The author of Zero Waste Home created a free app to help people locate package-free food options in their area. It is still in it's infancy and has some issues, but the more people who use it and give feedback, the better it will become.

Thanks for stopping by,
Allison

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