Blind Industries and Services of Maryland Looks to Expand Safe Reusable Grocery Bag Business

BALTIMORE, Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM), a not-for-profit company that employs blind and disabled people of all ages, manufactures one of the best canvas reusable grocery bags on the market. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to find one at your local grocery store.

About four years ago, BISM's reusable grocery bag business took a massive hit when China saturated the American market with a remarkably cheap reusable bag. BISM lost several large grocery chain customers to the Chinese and suffered a 90% decrease in their reusable bag business.

What we have all recently learned is that China's inexpensive reusable grocery bag was too good to be true. Dangerous levels of lead were found in certain reusable bags sold in Winn-Dixie, Publix, Walmart, Wegmans and Sweetbay. The one connection the toxic bags have is that they were all manufactured in China.

The shocking discovery resulted in the quick removal of many Chinese-made bags from grocery stores across the country and caused Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to call on the FDA and EPA to investigate.

With over 20 years of experience manufacturing canvas and mesh reusable shopping bags, BISM offers the solution to this serious problem. By contracting with BISM, grocery stores will receive a safe, high quality, American-made reusable canvas bag. Most importantly, grocery stores who partner with BISM will be supporting blind and disabled American workers. BISM's canvas reusable grocery bag is cut, sewn, and silkscreened in manufacturing plants in Baltimore, Cumberland, and Salisbury, Maryland.

For more information about purchasing BISM's reusable grocery bags, please contact Director of Sales Gregg Kalifut at 410-737-2616 or toll free at 888-322-4567. Media inquiries should be made to Communications Specialist Rob Ennamorato at 410-737-2615 or toll free at 888-322-4567. To learn more about Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, please visit www.bism.org.

SOURCE Blind Industries and Services of Maryland