Potatoes are a staple in kitchens worldwide, and ensuring they don’t spoil when stored and reach their destination damage-free is essential. That’s where burlap potato bags come into play!
Burlap bags are eco-friendly, durable, and breathable, making them perfect for transporting produce like potatoes, whether for eating or for planting.
In this article, we’ll cover the benefits of using burlap potato bags, tips for choosing the right bag, and why they’re ideal for anyone in the produce business.
Why Choose Burlap Potato Bags?
When it comes to moving potatoes from farm to market or from farm to farm, burlap bags stand out for a few key reasons:
- Breathability: Burlap allows air to circulate, which prevents moisture build-up inside the bag. Proper airflow is helpful when transporting potatoes because excess moisture can lead to rot and mold.
- Strength and Durability: Burlap bags are known for being a sturdy material. They’re resistant to tearing, which helps protect the produce inside from damage during handling and transportation. They also don’t deteriorate quickly, meaning they’ll last a while even under direct exposure to the elements.
- Eco-Friendly: Burlap is a biodegradable material that’s gentle on the environment, making it a sustainable choice for transporting food produce.
Overall, burlap bags are designed to work for you and your potatoes. They provide all the qualities needed to keep produce fresh, which is why they’re often preferred over plastic or other non-breathable materials.
Burlap bags can also be used as grow bags for potatoes, offering durability, aeration, and easy harvesting!
While mesh bags make great bags as well, plastic can degrade under the sun, and many plastic bags aren’t breathable. The best mesh produce bags are made out of a strong plastic called polypropylene, and you can have a look at them on our website.
Using Burlap Bags for Seed Potatoes
Seed potatoes require careful handling during transport to avoid bruising or sprouting prematurely. Burlap bags are ideal for those looking to grow potatoes from seed potatoes, as they offer the perfect environment to keep them cool, dry, and well-ventilated.
When moving or storing seed potatoes, opt for medium-sized burlap bags to prevent overcrowding and make it easier to monitor their condition.
Pro Tip: For seed potatoes, store the burlap bags in a shaded, cool area to help extend their viability until planting season.
Choosing The Right Burlap Potato Bag
Burlap potato bags come in various sizes and styles. Here are some factors to consider:
- Capacity: Bags come in different sizes, from smaller 10-pound bags to larger 50-pound options. Consider how many potatoes you need to store or transport and choose a bag size accordingly.
- Stitching and Reinforcement: For bulkier loads, opt for bags with reinforced stitching. This will reduce the risk of tearing and ensure your potatoes are secure.
- Price and Availability: Burlap bags are generally affordable, and buying in bulk can further reduce costs. These bags are commonly sold by suppliers and are available in most gardening or produce markets.
Burlap is versatile enough that you can find bags to suit almost any transport or storage need, making it an easy, effective choice for anyone in the potato industry. Additionally, burlap bags can also serve as planters for various vegetables, offering a durable and space-efficient option for gardeners.
Benefits of Transporting Potatoes in Burlap Bags
Beyond practicality, burlap potato bags offer some unique advantages that make them stand out from other storage options:
- Temperature Regulation: Burlap provides natural insulation, which helps regulate temperature during transport. This quality is particularly helpful when moving potatoes over long distances.
- Ease of Handling: The rough texture of burlap bags makes them easy to grip, which simplifies handling and reduces the risk of dropping or damaging the produce.
- Protects Potatoes from Light: Burlap helps shield potatoes from direct sunlight, which can cause them to turn green and become less suitable for consumption.
- Inexpensive: Here at St. Boniface, you can get 50 of these burlap bags online for just $35. Even cheaper if you get more!
Caring for Burlap Potato Bags
To extend the life of your burlap potato bags, follow these maintenance tips:
- Clean After Each Use: Shake out excess dirt and debris after each transport. If necessary, rinse the bag and allow it to dry completely to prevent mold growth.
- Store in a Dry Location: When not in use, keep your burlap bags in a cool, dry place to maintain their durability and prevent deterioration.
- Inspect Regularly: Check for holes or wear in the stitching, especially if using the bag for heavy loads. Repair small holes to keep the bag usable for multiple seasons.
By caring for your burlap bags, you’ll ensure they remain reliable for transporting produce year after year, keeping your potatoes tender and fresh.
The Importance of Drainage in Burlap Potato Bags
Whether you’re transporting or storing, drainage/breathability in your burlap bag can make a big difference. Burlap naturally allows some moisture to escape, but in high-humidity environments, additional drainage holes can help prevent excess moisture.
Too much moisture while transporting potatoes can lead to a shortened shelf life, reducing freshness and quality. It also allows molds and bacteria to grow, which means more of your produce will need to be discarded more quickly.
When selecting a bag, check the bottom of each bag for drainage holes or make small cuts yourself if necessary.
Why Burlap is the Sustainable Choice for Potato Transport
If sustainability is a priority, burlap potato bags are an excellent option. Unlike plastic or synthetic bags, burlap decomposes naturally over time. This reduces waste and environmental impact, allowing you to uphold more eco-friendly standards. Burlap bags are also beneficial for growing various plants sustainably, making them a versatile choice for gardeners.
Burlap bags are also reusable, meaning once you buy them, you’ll be using them many, many times. In practice, this reduces their cost to almost nothing — a total win-win scenario. You get cheap bags, and the environment goes unharmed.
What Are You Waiting For? Get a Burlap Bag Quote Today!
We’ve been serving Canadian and US bag customers since 1952, and burlap has always been a favorite option!
Our burlap bags come in three sizes, from 13×24” to 22×36” (which carries up to 75lb!), plus they’re not the only burlap product we sell!
The process to order and use our burlap bags for your needs is easy and straightforward. If you want a different burlap bag, you can check out our burlap coffee bags. Just want the burlap? We offer 40” wide burlap rolls from $9.72! The point is that you can always count on us to solve your packaging needs.
What’s stopping you? Get in touch for a bulk bag quote today.
