When I moved to Concord two and a half years ago, my frugal homing sense led me directly to Freihofer's Bakery Outlet. I was thrilled to get my bread at a discount, not to mention my bagels, English muffins, and other carbohydrate indulgences. My experience got even better when I saw the store promoting reusable bags. They offered their own for a reasonable price of 99 cents and, for a time, gave them away with a store purchase. So I bought a bright green Freihofer bag and put it into service.
The store did everything it could to remind people to use their bags. When I opened the door, a sign complete with pictures asked me if I brought mine along. But nothing prepared me for what happened a few weeks ago.
When I pulled up, I noticed a woman coming out with an armful of goodies; actually, two arms. I only needed one loaf of bread, so I didn't bring in my bag. I told the cashier I didn't need a bag (a plastic one) and she replied that was a good thing since the store no longer offered them. If you didn't bring in a reusable one of your own, then your arms would have to handle the job.
Readers, can you imagine my joy? I just about did a jig on the counter. Finally, a store with the courage to say no to plastic.
After questioning the manager, I found that Freihofer stores in New York state have been bagless for awhile. The New England district manager sought three stores in this region to volunteer to do the same. The Concord store became one of the three. The goal is for all 57 stores in the chain to eventually eliminate plastic bags.
I commend Freihofer's for doing this. How long will it take other stores to follow suit? Soon I hope.
