Above you can see the jumbo snack-sized bag, by EcoLunchGear. A few weeks ago I was sent one of these to try out. It is back-to-school season for many of you, and part of that means you need to start packing lunches again. It’s why I’m reviewing a couple of easy-to-go snack options, as well as the EcoLunchGear solution to carrying homemade snacks with you, too. Even if you’re not going back-to-school (for example, if you homeschool or have very young children, like me), you will still need snacks and a way to carry them on the go. Right?
So, this product. It’s very interesting! I’ll be honest, I haven’t used any other reusable bag options before — at least not those intended for snacks (I do use reusable shopping bags, but that’s not the same). I had no idea what to expect going into this.
EcoLunchGear’s product is made of organic cotton on the outside, and is lined on the inside with nylon covered in a stay-dry coating. The company’s owner, Tina (who is joining us as a sponsor!), says this is because without it, bread gets stale. Katie at Kitchen Stewardship recently reviewed several reusable lunch bags and agrees that this is true. This originally made me hesitate, but then I realized that using a nylon liner is no different than using PUL in diapers (or in making your own reusable snack bags, which some of my friends have done). The nylon’s coating faces in towards the fabric, though, and doesn’t touch the food.
The design of the bag is such that it opens completely flat, which makes it easy to clean and also a nice little “placemat” so you don’t have to set the snack on a potentially dirty table.
Here’s a summary of the positive points:
- Pretty fabric
- Closure is quite “sticky,” so the Velcro won’t come undone and lose your snack
- Bag folds up nicely to keep things in (I was originally worried there would be little cracks to “lose” some snacks, but this hasn’t happened)
- Bag completely unfolds for easy cleaning
- Holds a fair amount (there are different sizes too)
- Made of organic cotton
Here is what concerns me:
- The “plastic” liner. I know it’s necessary to keep the food fresh since organic cotton is breathable, but I wish it wasn’t.
Obviously the positives outweigh the negatives!
If you’d like to try one for yourself, you now have the opportunity! Here are the ways to enter:
- (REQUIRED) Visit EcoLunchGear and tell me which product you like the best (you’ll get the same one I reviewed, but it’s nice to dream, right? Plus maybe you’d like to visit my sponsor and make a purchase…
). - Subscribe to me via RSS or email, or tell me you already do
- Fill out my reader survey, or tell me you already did
- Join my forum and introduce yourself, OR write or respond to another post (if you do BOTH I’ll give you two entries!)
- Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway
- Follow EcoLunchGear on Twitter
- Follow me on Facebook and post something to my wall (I want to hear from my readers!)
There are 7 possible entries! Please leave each one in a SEPARATE comment. This giveaway will close on Wednesday, September 22nd at 8 AM. I will post the winner by 8 PM that night! Good luck!
By the way, how are you enjoying these new reviews and giveaways?!
I think I like the jumbo snack bags best! Thanks!
I like the tissue pouch, i think it would be great to use for my homemade reusable tissues
took the reader survey
I love the jumbo snack bags best. But I love how they developed the tissue holder out of the scrap material!
I subscribe via email
I've taken the reader survey.
I wrote on your post about freezing veggies.
Jumbo snack bags look awesome for multiple toddler snacks!
Heather
Took the survey!
Heather
follow your blog in my google reader
Heather
Definitely the sandwich bags – we pack a lot of lunches!
I get your updates via email.
These are so cool. Visited the website and love the sandwich and snack bags. Also, interestingly, I was thinking about a tissue holder I had that someone got me from a craft fair years ago. I've lost it and was hoping to find another one! Was pleased to see they had them there!
Robyn
Subscribed via email!
Robyn
Filled out the reader survey.
Robyn
The snack bags would come in handy at our home.
I subscribe by e-mail.
I've taken the reader survey.
I like the Starburst Strawberry Snack Bag.
already subscribe to you via RSS and email
already filled out your reader survey
Follow you on Twitter and tweet
http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/25185781804
Follow EcoLunchGear on Twitter @matt4melis
Follow you on Facebook and posted something to your wall
http://www.facebook.com/matt4melis#!/posted.php?id=310966612912&share_id=158650017494548&comments=1#s158650017494548
Would love snack bags!! I hate using all the pastic bags to take X places. I am with you on the liner however know through research that at least you know in many cases that it is truly bpa and lead free which you don't with most comercial plastic bags. So definately better
. I subscribe via e-mail and have liked your blog on facebook 