Why the "French" Basketeer

The French have a special love affair with the basket.   Over the centuries, the basket has been used by households rich and poor, in the city and country, carried by men and women:  a simple, universal, utilitarian item.  The trade of basket making is recorded since the late 11th century in France, and over the ages it became highly specialized within different regions of France and by intended use, including: harvesting  grapes (each wine region has their own unique basket shape and name), picking olives and gathering lavender, carrying glasses and bottles, making bread (in baskets with canvas lining); carrying eggs or freshly caught fish (various fish have unique baskets); raising chickens, storing wine (in glass jars covered with basketry to keep the light out);  carrying firemen’s water (in a zinc-lined basket); carrying clean or soiled laundry…you get the idea.

 

France began a national effort to reduce the amount of disposable products and waste in 1992.  Their comprehensive plan aimed to reduce disposable products and establish recycling programs with manageable costs.  The elimination of plastic bags was identified as a goal.  France has passed a law prohibiting the distribution of plastic bags beginning January 1, 2010.  According to various surveys, the French people overwhelmingly support stopping the use of plastic bags.

 

France made major progress in 2007 towards eliminating the use of plastic bags (and don’t even ask for a paper bag!).  Most points of sale do not offer free plastic bags.  Reusable bags are offered for sale by large retailers, but for the most part, people bring their own bag, cart or basket.  For heavy-duty shopping trips, it’s not unusual for the French to pile all their goods (without bags) directly into their cars from their shopping cart. 

 

Everyone owns several baskets of various sizes in France.  It becomes a habit to have several in the car, and to not leave home for errands without one, knowing that you need a way to carry your goods home.

 

Our mission is to provide authentic French baskets, carts and totes which are practical yet stylish and to help get the word out that plastic bags are indeed, “so passé.”  Our products are made from renewable resources and produced under conditions of Fair Trade and Fair Wage in France, the former French colonies of Madagascar and Morocco, and India.   Basket making is almost exclusively a female industry in Madagascar, our largest supplier, which is the world’s 13th poorest country.