Limes, cilantro, tomatillos and a few pounds of onions: a Mexican kitchen goes through a lot of loose produce. Most of it comes home in thin plastic bags that split at the first corner. A good reusable bag fixes that problem, but the phrase “produce bag” covers two rather different jobs.
One job is carrying food through the store, where you want see-through mesh and a tag for the cashier. The other is keeping food in your refrigerator, where the bag’s job is managing moisture. This guide covers both, and it gives no shelf-life numbers, since we did not find any we could stand behind.
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Quick verdict: which produce bags to buy
For the store, buy the purifyou Set of 9: America’s Test Kitchen named it best overall, with sturdy mesh, tare tags and three sizes. For greens in the refrigerator, try the Vejibag, a damp organic cotton bag made in the USA. If you only buy light produce, Earthwise is very light, but heed the warning about heavy loads below.
Mesh bags are meant for carrying, and refrigerator bags are meant for storing. Few do both well, so many kitchens will want one of each.
Five produce bags at a glance
Five picks by job. All seven are reviewed below.
| Bags | Best for | Material | Count and size | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
purifyou Mesh Produce Bags, Set of 9Best overall
|
Store trips, sturdy mesh | Polyester mesh | 9 bags, 3 sizes | View on Amazon |
Vejibag Organic Cotton Crisper Bag, StandardBest for the fridge
|
Lettuce and greens at home | Organic cotton | 1 bag, 11 x 12 in | View on Amazon |
Earthwise Mesh Produce Bags, Set of 9Best lightweight
|
Light, delicate produce | Polyester mesh | 9 bags, 11 x 13.5 in | View on Amazon |
Ziploc Produce Bags, 50 ctBest easy option
|
Familiar fridge storage | Plastic, gallon size | 50 bags | View on Amazon |
Debbie Meyer GreenBags, 20 PackBest to try
|
Bananas and ripening fruit | Bag with a mineral formulation | 20 bags, 3 sizes | View on Amazon |
Sizes and counts come from each listing. Prices change, so check them on Amazon.
Our picks for the best produce bags
The first picks are for the store, and the later ones are for storage. All come from makers we could identify, and all were in stock as new items when we checked.
1. purifyou Mesh Produce Bags, Set of 9 – The Test Kitchen’s Top Pick
This is the easy recommendation, because someone independent has done the hard work. America’s Test Kitchen tested reusable produce bags and named the purifyou Set of 9 its best overall. The reviewers wrote that “using this bag was a cinch”, that it “held strong” against a pineapple and dumbbells, and that it washes clean easily. That is the kind of abuse a produce bag sees at the store, and few of the others survived it as well.
The set includes five large bags at 12 by 14 inches, two extra-large at 12 by 17 inches and two small at 12 by 8 inches. Each has a color-coded tare tag, which helps a cashier subtract the bag’s own weight. The listing says the double-stitched mesh is machine washable. A mixed set like this means you are not stuffing limes into a bag built for a head of cabbage.
These are synthetic, and America’s Test Kitchen found that synthetic bags resisted stains better than cotton.
Why we like it
- Named best overall by America’s Test Kitchen
- Tare tags for checkout
- Three sizes in one set
- Double-stitched and machine washable, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | PRPB-9 |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester mesh |
| Count | 9 |
| Size | 12 x 14, 12 x 17 and 12 x 8 in |
| Closure | Drawstring |
| Tare tag | Yes, on tags |
| Washing | Machine washable, per listing |
| Main job | Store trips |
Why we recommend it
It suits nearly anyone who shops weekly and wants one set that handles both limes and potatoes.
Skip it if you want natural fiber, or you mainly want to store produce in the refrigerator rather than carry it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Named independent review
- Tare tags
- Good range of sizes
Cons
- Synthetic fabric
- Not made for long storage of leafy greens
2. Vejibag Organic Cotton Crisper Bag, Standard – Damp Cotton for the Fridge
Vejibag is a different idea. It is not for carrying produce through a store. It is for your refrigerator. Vejibag’s method goes back to wrapping greens in a damp cloth: wet the cotton bag, wring it out, rinse and trim your vegetables, shake them off and put them in the bag. The maker says plastic suffocates produce and that this keeps humidity-loving vegetables crisp.
The Standard bag measures 11 by 12 inches, and is made in the USA from certified organic cotton, according to the listing, with no dye. It can be machine washed with unscented detergent and tumble dried. The maker makes larger sizes for heads of lettuce and kale. The Organized Home site wrote about the same method and praised it for reviving an old tradition, though it does not say the writers used the bag themselves.
The maker does not give us a number of days we can repeat, so we won’t offer one. Plan on re-wetting the bag when it dries.
Why we like it
- Certified organic cotton, per the listing
- Made in the USA, per the listing
- Machine washable and tumble dry
- Works on the old damp-cloth principle
Key specifications
| Model | 1001S |
|---|---|
| Material | Certified organic cotton, undyed |
| Count | 1 |
| Size | 11 x 12 in |
| Closure | Not stated |
| Tare tag | No |
| Washing | Machine wash and tumble dry |
| Main job | Refrigerator storage |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who keeps a lot of lettuce, kale or carrots in the refrigerator and tends to lose some to wilting.
Skip it if you want bags for the store itself, or you do not want one more thing to keep damp.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plastic-free storage
- Made in the USA
- Long-used damp-cloth method
Cons
- Single bag per listing
- You have to keep it damp
3. Earthwise Mesh Produce Bags, Set of 9 – Light, With a Known Weakness
Earthwise makes light, see-through bags that let a barcode scan through the mesh, and each is 11 by 13.5 inches. The set of nine is a good count for a weekly shop. The maker sells these on the idea that a bag can replace many plastic ones, and they fold down to almost nothing in a tote.
Here is the catch. America’s Test Kitchen placed Earthwise among its Recommended with Reservations. It credited the bag with the strongest closure beads in its group, then added, “if only the bags had been durable”, and said the lightweight fabric “ripped when we filled this bag with heavy items.” So use these for berries, herbs, peppers or a few tomatoes, and do not fill them with potatoes.
We include it because a lightweight bag has a real job, and because you deserve the reservation stated plainly.
Why we like it
- See-through mesh, per the listing
- Barcodes scan through, per the listing
- Strongest closure beads in America’s Test Kitchen’s group
- Light and packs small
Key specifications
| Model | FBA_EW105 |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester mesh |
| Count | 9 |
| Size | 11 x 13.5 in |
| Closure | Drawstring with bead |
| Tare tag | Not stated |
| Washing | Washable, per listing |
| Main job | Light produce |
Why we recommend it
It suits a shopper buying lighter items who wants a very light, clear bag.
Skip it if you buy potatoes, onions or other heavy produce in bulk. America’s Test Kitchen reports this fabric ripping under heavy loads.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very light
- Cashier can see through it
- Solid closure
Cons
- Fabric ripped under heavy items, per America’s Test Kitchen
- No tare tags mentioned
4. Organic Cotton Mart Mesh Produce Bags, 3 Small – Natural Fiber for Small Items
If you would rather not carry polyester, this is cotton mesh with a drawstring and double stitching. The title gives three small bags at 8 by 10 inches, and it names cilantro and limes, which is what they would hold in our kitchens. Organic Cotton Mart also sells larger sizes.
Two cautions. First, the listing’s own text says at one point that this listing is for the XL size, while the title and size field say small, so confirm the size before ordering. Second, America’s Test Kitchen found that cotton bags stained more than synthetic ones and “usually took more washes to become fully clean”, though cotton also had more natural stretch. This brand was not on the review list we read, so that comment is about cotton bags in general.
Why we like it
- 100% organic cotton, per the listing
- Small size for herbs and limes
- Double stitching, per the listing
- Drawstring closure
Key specifications
| Model | 3M-YKIT-DGX3 |
|---|---|
| Material | Organic cotton mesh |
| Count | 3 |
| Size | 8 x 10 in (listing text also mentions XL) |
| Closure | Drawstring |
| Tare tag | Stated on the label, per listing |
| Washing | Washable, per listing |
| Main job | Small produce |
Why we recommend it
It suits a shopper who prefers natural fiber and buys a lot of small items such as herbs, limes and chiles.
Skip it if you are not willing to wash cotton a little more often, or you want a large bag.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Natural fiber
- Stretch, per America’s Test Kitchen on cotton in general
- Fits small produce
Cons
- Cotton stains more, per America’s Test Kitchen
- Listing conflicts on the size
5. Bee’s Wrap Beeswax Produce Bags, 2 Pack – Plastic-Free, Waxed Cloth
Bee’s Wrap is a well-known name in beeswax food wraps, and this pack puts the same idea into a bag shape. The listing gives two large produce bags, made in the USA, and pitches them as a plastic-free way to store and carry fruit and vegetables. The printed design is cheerful, and it would look good hanging in a market tote.
This listing is very short, and we could not open Bee’s Wrap’s own product page, so we can’t tell you the exact bag dimensions or the maker’s care instructions from what we read. Follow what comes in the package. Beeswax wraps generally dislike heat, so we would keep these away from hot food and hot water. We say more about the wrap format in our guide to the best beeswax wraps.
Why we like it
- Plastic-free, per the listing
- Made in the USA, per the listing
- Named maker in beeswax wraps
- Large bag size
Key specifications
| Model | 9200-MM-2PK |
|---|---|
| Material | Beeswax-coated cloth |
| Count | 2 |
| Size | Large; not stated |
| Closure | Not stated |
| Tare tag | No |
| Washing | Not stated |
| Main job | Fridge and market |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone already using beeswax wraps who wants the same approach for produce.
Skip it if you want full care details on the page before you buy, or you need a bag for wet greens.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plastic-free, per the listing
- Made in the USA
- Attractive design
Cons
- Thin listing details
- Only two bags
6. Ziploc Produce Bags, 50 ct – Sealed, With Moisture Control
Not everyone wants to wash cloth bags. Ziploc’s produce bag is a plastic gallon-size bag with a sealing top, and Ziploc says it helps regulate moisture to keep produce fresh and crisp. It is the least fussy option here: put the vegetables in, seal the bag and put it in the crisper drawer.
Ziploc’s listing says you can use and reuse the bags, but it does not say how many times, and it does not give a number of days for freshness, so we do not either. It also does not explain how the moisture control works in the text we read. We found no independent test of these bags, and this pick rests on the listing and the fact that Ziploc is an established maker.
Why we like it
- Gallon size suits bulk produce, per Ziploc
- Seal top
- Moisture control, per Ziploc
- Sold by Amazon when we checked
Key specifications
| Model | 390341 |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Count | 50 |
| Size | Gallon |
| Closure | Seal top |
| Tare tag | No |
| Washing | Reusable, per Ziploc |
| Main job | Fridge storage |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants simple refrigerator storage and already keeps Ziploc in the drawer.
Skip it if you are buying produce bags to get away from plastic.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy to use
- Large pack
- Sealing top
Cons
- Plastic
- Freshness claim is the maker’s own
7. Debbie Meyer GreenBags, 20 Pack – Ethylene Bags, Mixed Results
GreenBags have been around for years, and the evidence is mixed. The maker says a natural mineral formulation helps manage ethylene gas, which speeds produce aging. The listing gives eight medium, eight large and four extra-large bags, made in the USA from BPA-free materials, reusable eight to ten times with a rinse and a dry.
We read two local-TV trials, and neither is a controlled test. An ABC11 “Does It Work” segment gave them a thumbs up after a viewer stored bananas and strawberries for about eight days, and it stressed keeping both produce and bags dry to avoid mold. A 2007 KFVS12 trial gave them an F, after 30 days of produce spoiling in and out of the bags. The company replied that some customers reported failure and others success.
Our advice follows from that. Treat this as a low-stakes thing to try, keep everything dry, and judge by your own bananas. The seller here was a third party when we checked.
Why we like it
- Three sizes in one pack
- Made in the USA, per the listing
- Reusable 8 to 10 times, per the maker
- Both good and bad trials are on record
Key specifications
| Model | 5127799 |
|---|---|
| Material | BPA-free bag with a mineral formulation |
| Count | 20 |
| Size | Medium, large, extra-large |
| Closure | Fold over |
| Tare tag | No |
| Washing | 8 to 10 uses, per the maker |
| Main job | Fridge, pantry or counter |
Why we recommend it
It suits a curious cook with a lot of fruit, who is happy to run a small experiment at home.
Skip it if you want proof before you buy. Two local trials reached opposite conclusions.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good size range
- Maker gives a use count
- Low-stakes way to try the idea
Cons
- Mixed results in the trials we read
- Moisture can cause mold, per one trial
How to choose reusable mesh produce bags
Five things separate a useful bag from a drawer full of ripped ones.
- Job first. Decide if you are carrying or storing. A mesh bag lets greens dry out in the refrigerator, and a damp cotton bag is no use at a checkout.
- Seams. America’s Test Kitchen found that winners used sturdy fabric with reinforced, double-sewn seams, and that flimsy bags with single-line stitching were not worth recommending.
- Fabric. It reported that nylon bags all ripped, that polyester varied, and that cotton stretched more but stained more and needed extra washes.
- Tare weight. A printed bag weight helps the cashier subtract it. America’s Test Kitchen calls color-coded tare labels nice to have, not essential.
- Closure. A drawstring with a bead that stays put keeps limes off the floor. Check that the bead holds, since beads failed on some bags in that review.
How we picked these seven bags
We started with Amazon listings, keeping only bags plainly in stock, new, and from makers we could identify. America’s Test Kitchen’s review of reusable produce bags is the main independent source, and it covers two of these picks. We also read two local-TV trials of GreenBags. Nobody at Julia’s has run these bags through a test, and we do not claim otherwise.
The cotton bag, the beeswax bag and the Ziploc rest on listing details, since we found no independent test of them. We left out packs of 100 onion sacks, which are for farms, and anything sold on a shelf-life number we could not trace to the maker.
Produce bag questions, answered
Do reusable produce bags work at the checkout?
Yes, generally. See-through mesh lets the cashier see the item, and Earthwise says barcodes scan through its mesh. Tare tags, such as those on the purifyou bags, make it easier to subtract the bag’s weight.
Can you wash produce bags?
Yes. The purifyou and Vejibag listings both say machine wash, and America’s Test Kitchen found that synthetic bags cleaned up more easily than cotton. Dry them fully before storing.
Do mesh bags keep produce fresh in the fridge?
They are mainly for carrying. The mesh allows air through, which helps some items and dries out others. For greens, a damp bag like the Vejibag or a sealed moisture-control bag makes more sense.
Do green bags really work?
The evidence we read is mixed. An ABC11 segment gave Debbie Meyer GreenBags a thumbs up, and a 2007 KFVS12 trial gave them an F. Neither was a controlled test.
How long will produce last in these bags?
We do not give a number. Most of the listings we read make general freshness claims, and the results depend on the produce, its condition and your refrigerator.
Our final pick for the shopping tote
Keep the purifyou set in your tote for the store, and try a Vejibag at home for greens. When the bags come off the counter, the best food freezer bags covers what goes into long-term storage, and the best salad spinner covers getting greens dry before they go in the bag.
And if you would rather let someone else cook tonight, see the menu or call to order.