Ziplock Vegetable Bags are Back!

In the 1990's I discovered Ziploc Vegetable bags, by Dow.  The bags looked like any other one gallon food storage bag except the bags had perforations which allowed excess moisture to escape.  I loved these bags and how they kept my food fresher and crisper, since there was less moisture build up.  Suddenly, my coveted vegetable storage bags were off the market.  Part of my inheritance included an unopened box of the bags, thanks to my mother who believed in stocking up on things on sale.  Because it was packed away with other kitchen items that were never unpacked, there they were, like a Christmas gift.  

With the information on the box, I called the company to see if they had any left over, of which I would gladly have paid for.  The very helpful lady in Customer Service told me that not only did they not have any left over, but she received quite a few calls and often from people  who also wanted these bags.  I asked her why they were pulled off the market, and she told me that they were not selling.  I shared with her my observations that they were not merchandised properly.  Many lesser quality vegetable bags were frequently sold alongside fresh produce, so that consumers would become aware of their existence. 

Fast forward to July 2009, and I am at my local Jewel grocery store on the north side of Chicago.  I'm searching for one gallon sized freezer bags, but my eyes are glazing over because all the packages look so similar that it takes effort to discriminate what each item is for.  I am staring at something that  didn't say freezer bag, but said vegetable bag.  While Hefty makes a vegetable bag, which I have used, I picked up this other item out of curiosity.  Once in my hand, I realized I was holding the new incarnation of my favorite vegetable storage bags.

The predominantly blue box shown below is the current point of purchase packaging.

 

The predominantly green packaging in the photo below is what the original point of purchase packaging looked like.  I'm not so sure I like the newer packaging more, because the older packaging  clearly announced Vegetable Bags whereas the new POP indicates it via vegetables, but that could also be used for their regular storage bags. 

Looking at the top of the packaging, the new design appears superior.

 

However, looking at the bottom of the packaging, again, the original winds hands down.  There is no double that these are special use bags.

The backside of the packaging, in my opinion, could go either way, although I prefer the older packaging in that it clearly identifies the product use.  By using a color other than the blue prevalent on all their other plastic bags, it also differentiates it by use, which is an easier way for consumers to know which box they are reaching for when they are in a rush.

 

Despite a few issues with the current POP packaging, I for one am very pleased that SC Johnson of Racine, Wisconsin, has chosen to bring back this most excellent product.  I hope this posting is found by your many customers who have been searching for these very well designed bags.  There is one desgin change that is evident, and that is in the product itself.  The Ziploc design is much better.

Thanks again, SC Johnson, for bringing back the Ziploc Vegetable Bags!

Comments

[animalwatcher]

I'm with you, I've hung on to mine, now torn and barely closing bags for years now. I too was saddened when they were no longer being made. Tonight I got online to see what I could come up with and lookie lookie, "they are back". I have not seen them in my local stores, but now that I know they are online, I'm going to be like your mom, and make a stash for future outages. Yahoo!

[Anton A]

This fills in a story I'd long wondered about! Those bags were great for produce, and also for crusty French & Italian breads; the perforations helped keep the texture of the crust intact. It was annoying when they vanished from the shelves.

I'm not sure whether I last searched for those bags after July 2009. I'll have to look again. Thanks!