Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Bag Ban: Farmers Markets & Your Sweaty Mushrooms

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

plasticbagfarmersmarket.jpg
Photo by Sundogg via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
()


Photo by Sundogg via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
When the Santa Monica single-use plastic bag ban goes into effect on September 1st, it could change the way you experience farmers markets in the area. Instead of a straight ban of all bag types in favor of one eco-friendly BYOB alternative, the LA Times notes that the new ordinance will treat different bags...differently.

Though the standard flimsy two handled bags are completely banned and the goal of the new ordinance is to encourage you to carry your farmers market goods in a canvas bag or similar, other bags will be allowed to protect public health.

What types of bags slipped by the ban? Plastic produce bags that come on a roll and are thicker than average grocery story bags made the cut, but can only be used by vendors and only when items are pointy or moist or would easily spill. "Gently used" plastic bags that you can use again (see! not single use!) also made the cut.

Support for LAist comes from

The city will also provide three "multi-use" bags made from recycled materials by veterans at the West Los Angeles Veterans administration. These specially-designed bags will include backpacks, handle bags and muslin product bags.

One paper bag exception has also made the cut: an 8-pound or smaller paper bag will be allowed for mushrooms so they don't "sweat" in plastic produce bags.

What will happen if you bust out the wrong bag type at farmers markets this fall? Laura Avery, Santa Monica farmers markets supervisor says, "We're not going to arrest or harass you if you have a handle bag that you bring yourself." Just to be safe, though, you might want to get your bags in order over the next few months so you're good to go.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist