if there's a restaurant depot or similar type place near you they have a giant selection of containers and then you don't have to pay the shipping.

Here is a link that might be useful: restaurant depot

Thanks Randy. Unfortnately, I don't have an RD close by. :(

here is a link

Here is a link that might be useful: Clam shells

Randy, what type of containers does Restaurant Depot carry? Clamshells and produce bags? There's a RD within driving distance of me, but not exactly close. I watched their video and it looks like they carry a lot of food and food service items, but I can't tell if they carry things like produce bags. It would be great to buy that sort of thing directly from a store and save on shipping charges.

they have clamshell containers of many sizes as well as t-shirt bags and produce bags, like clear plastic bags on a roll that i put salad mix and greens in. you need to prove you are buying for a business. its a fun place to go to. bring your coat so you can stroll around the warehouse size cooler they have.

Awesome. I saw on the RD website that you need to apply for a membership in advance (you need either a business license or tax exempt certificate), and wait until you're approved before going to the warehouse.

Now that my market's over it's a perfect time for this sort of thing. Buying produce bags and supplies online, I've found that shipping costs are often as much as the products themselves.

are there any wholesale produce auctions around you? at the ones here that are ran by the Amish, they also sell packaging supplies so that the produce you sell is appropriately packaged. I know they sell at least pint clamshells for cherry tomatoes and 1/2 pint ones for berries. Maybe you can find something similar there.

also this place was advertised in the Country Folks Grower magazine and I thought their prices weren't too bad. When I selected a case of pint cherry tomato containers for $57, the shipping was going to be $28. But when you figure that's for 600 of them ,that's only .14 each. not terrible...

Here is a link that might be useful: produce packaging website

Thanks Boulder! That's a perfect link! Now to just figure out my sizes and I'm golden!

This post was edited by TheRipeTomato on Thu, Oct 30, 14 at 13:52

You may also want to checkout CROP KING.COM. they offer hydroponic supplys and packaging supplies priced each instead of having to buy a case. I haven't bought from them yet but am planning on buying hydroponics setup from them

Thanks jnjfarm, but I'm in Canada. At those prices with shipping and duties, I'd be bankrupt!

Why buy anything under a case? the price does up and the stuff doesn't rot/go bad and you will more than likely go through the case much more quickly than you think.

I agree boulder. I'd be buying a few cases of each for my situation.

Hi Ripe Tomato! I don't know anything about Victoria, but I think here on the mainland the plastic clamshells can be a bit off-putting to farmers market shoppers. If they're eco-conscious enough to be shopping there, I think they often don't want plastic, they'd rather have some sort of compostable or biodegradable container. That's not to say I haven't seen them at farmers markets, just not as many or as often as you'd think. I think I've seen them out of the corner of my eye at HY Louie Cash and Carry but I could be wrong, I wasn't looking for them. I imagine some things really need the clamshells, but I don't know that I'd make them my first choice.

Thanks Phil. The containers are mostly for restaurants for micro greens and fresh cut herbs. I will try them at the market next spring, but it's not what they'll be used for mainly. Cheers