We are looking for small plastic containers to sell bean sprouts in at this years farmers market. I think we will have a policy of giving a discount if people bring back the container and get more sprouts. We have a small market so don't need too many containers. We also don't live in a real "bean sprout" area! Price is very important so we can keep our price down. I haven't had luck finding them from the wholesalers we use. Do any of you have suggestions?

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2001

Answers

Kim-on cherry tomatoes,I put them in the pint container in a plastic bag.That's how they were displayed bc they look good,but the customer got the bag and we kept the container. Should work for sprouts.

We get our containers at a local distributor,and the rest of the marketers recommended doing it that way,bc container cost can really mount.Hope that helps.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2001

I don't know if this will help you or not...a lot of our small farm marketers sell items like that in Ziploc baggies and no one seems to complain. Or are you talking about the little self-draining boxes you grow them in like you see in grocery stores?

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2001

I have a new catalog from "Produce Promotions" which offers small quantities of produce packaging. I'm sorry that I can't send you my catalog, but I may need to order from it for berry season. Their order number is 1-888-575-4090; Fax number 1-800-375-2998; E-mail addy is producepromotions@inberry.com. They offer the plastic clamshell boxes on page 12. Item #56-1/2P which I am assuming is a 1/2 pint container; dimesions 4.93" x 4.93" x 1.8" ; price for 25 is $4.99; price for 100 is $17.95; price for 600 is $70.99.

Also listed is a slightly different shape of 1/2 pt container for the same prices. They also have pint containers - Item # 55-1P; dimensions 4.93" x4.93" x 2.4" ; price for 25 is $5.99; price for 100 is $21.95; price for 600 is $84.99.

There is a 20% shipping charge on all containers - $8.00 minimum.

They also have quart and 2# sizes available. I don't know how their prices are compared with other companies, as I have not bought containers for years. However, their prices on some of the other items they offer seems a bit high to me. Then again, if I can't get beer flats at the convenience market or canned good boxes from the store for free; I may have to order some and pass on the cost to my customers. I really hate having to do that, but they won't return my quart berry boxes and they go up in price every year - when you can find them.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2001

Thanks Polly, that's just what we needed.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001

We buy the disposable glad freezer containers for setting out produce, then sack it in a 1/2 paper bag. Same as the other produce vendors in our area.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001