By Kathy Huckins. Reprinted from Stone Soup, July 3, 2009
I have been searching for years to find a locally grown and produced canvas shopping bag that we would be proud to complement with our logo. Lately, reusable shopping bags have become the norm. They are cheap, plentiful, colorful and produced thousands of miles away with cotton that has been sprayed with lots of chemicals. Last year I discovered Liberty Graphics in Liberty, Maine. I dropped by on my way back from the Common Ground Fair, walked into an old converted farmhouse and was greeted by a warm welcoming designer. Yes, the organic cotton used in the bags was grown in the southeastern part of the U.S. Yes, the bags were assembled in New Hampshire. Yes, they used water-based ink for the logo. Yes, they would be delighted to make bags for us. I ordered some. I think this is as local as I can get. The bags have our logo outlined in forest green, and they are available for sale on pickup days for $15 each. They are a find and I am proud we are supporting this small graphic company in Maine.
June 2013: We have a new supply of tote bags! Get yours before they’re gone.