Huntingdon Farmers’ Market is launching its new sustainable shopping bags at 10am on Friday 18th July with a free giveaway for the first two hundred shoppers to claim one. 

The reusable cotton shopping bags have a distinctive design on both sides, showing the Farmers’ Market’s historic backdrop in Huntingdon’s Market Square.  Following the promotional giveaway they will be sold at their cost price of 80p to help ensure that their supply is as sustainable as their usage.

While bags for life are a new trend for major retail outlets, this is an established tradition for Huntingdon Farmers’ Market, and many customers can still be seen using the first series of cotton bags launched in 2003 – evidence of the sustainability of using cotton bags instead of plastic carriers. 

An estimated 13 billion plastic bags are given away each year in the UK and they take centuries to decay in landfill.

“Our customers at Huntingdon Farmers’ Market are concerned about protecting the environment as well as buying quality fresh food at a fair price” said Councillor Colin Hyams, Huntingdonshire District Council’s executive councillor for operational and countryside services.  “Using cotton bags which last for years is a smart way of cutting down on waste, packaging and carbon emissions.  The bags also promote Godmanchester Community Nursery which offers an opportunity for local people to get further involved in reducing food miles by growing their own”

Huntingdon Farmers’ Market  recently celebrated its fifth birthday.  The award-winning certified farmers’ market is held every other Friday in the Market Square from 8am to 2pm.