The Best Farmers Market Bags, Totes, and Baskets

The best market bags share four things. A wide, flat base keeps peaches and tomatoes from rolling into a crushed pile at the bottom. Long handles go over your shoulder, which leaves your hands free to pay and taste samples. A stiff or structured body stands open while vendors load it. And the bag should be washable, because berries leak and greens drip.

Loose produce such as green beans, cherry tomatoes, apples, and mushrooms needs its own small bag. Reusable mesh bags do the job of the flimsy plastic ones and last for years. Because they are see-through, a vendor can weigh what’s inside without unpacking it. The mesh also lets greens breathe, so they don’t sweat on the ride home.

Your main bag does the heavy lifting. Jute and heavy canvas are the classic choices because they hold their shape and survive a wet day. A stiff jute tote stands open on the ground while you shop. A canvas tote with a long strap is easier to carry for a long walk. Outside pockets are useful for the things that should stay upright, like a jar of honey, a bottle of cider, or a carton of eggs.

If you like a basket, choose one with handles long enough for your shoulder or forearm. A basket protects soft fruit well, but it is harder to carry for long once it is full.

If you buy meat, fish, cheese, butter, or eggs, bring a cooler bag, especially in summer. A car parked in the sun gets hot quickly, and perishables should not sit warm for long. Add an ice pack if you will run other errands before going home. A cooler bag also protects berries and salad greens, which wilt fast in heat.

For bulk buying, such as canning tomatoes in August, a box of apples in the fall, flats of spring plants, or pumpkins in October, wheels beat carrying. A narrow rolling crate fits through a crowded market aisle and folds flat in the trunk. A folding wagon carries far more, which matters on a big lot or a long walk from parking.

Busy markets can be tight, and a few ask shoppers to leave wagons at the edge during peak hours. If your market is crowded, go early or use the narrower cart.