Working in the promo industry, I tend to be hyperaware of the promotional products I encounter in my everyday life. So, when I took a spontaneous trip to New York City for a weekend, I got too excited about a tote bag I saw at a farmers’ market.
But, what kind of Promo Marketing writer would I be if I didn’t tell you all about it?
My History with Tote Bags
I’m a bit of a tote bag snob. Don’t get me wrong—I own a lot of them. But, I tend to get picky with the one I make my everyday staple. Case and point: For five years now, I’ve been using the same tote bag. I wrote all about it here.
And, just for reference, this is what it looked like:
As you can imagine, a canvas tote bag tends to look a little worn down after five years, so I’ve been on the hunt for its replacement for quite some time.
The Farmers’ Market
I’m obsessed with farmers’ markets. If I’m visiting a new city, I like to make it a point to visit a local farmers’ market. Maybe it’s weird, or maybe, I just like eating twice my bodyweight in homemade cookies. Either way, it was for that reason that I made my way to the Union Square Greenmarket in New York City. While wandering through the stalls decorated to the nines in Christmas lights, it was there I saw the tote bag of my dreams.
The Tote Bag
Like a beacon of light on that cold December day, I saw her. A black tote bag with eye-catching, gradient text. I immediately dropped my conversation and made a beeline for the seller’s table. To my surprise, it was the booth for Grow NYC, the nonprofit that makes the New York City farmers’ markets happen.
The tote bag was $10 and a no-brainer for me. Plus, it made the rest of my farmers’ market shopping a breeze.
Here’s why I loved this bag:
1. The message is on-brand
Lately, I’ve been trying to incorporate more healthy eating into my lifestyle. That means, I’ve become a huge fan of all forms of squash. So, when I saw this bag listing all my favorites, I was enamored. Farmers’ markets and fresh produce go hand-in-hand, and I liked the message.
2. The graphics are on-trend
An ombre list of text and the standard four-line message is in right now. And, I really love ombre, so for pure aesthetics alone, I would have bought this bag.
3. I support the cause
As someone who loves farmers’ markets, I would be crazy to miss an opportunity to support the cause. I loved that the money I spent went to keeping the Union Square Greenmarket up and running, and the fact that I got a new tote bag was the icing on the cake.
