These organic cotton mesh bags are breathable, but their thick weave makes them sturdy enough to handle heavier produce. At the store, I usually throw items that I buy in multiples (lemons, limes, onions, etc.) into them to keep things organized. They're also strong enough to store larger, bulkier produce like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower if you don't want to place those directly into your cart.

The real selling point with these bags is their durability. I've had mine for over three years and they're still in as good shape as the day I bought them. They have a cotton drawstring close, which makes them easy to hand-wash or throw in the machine (metal string tips can jangle around in the machine and sometimes fall off). I've found that this size is also perfect for storing toiletries and cosmetics, so you'll find a few of them stuffed in my bathroom vanity too.

Life Without Plastic Organic Cotton Mesh Plastic Free Produce Bag - Large ($6)

Use it for: Lemons, limes, onions, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower

My Brooklyn neighborhood is teeming with this en-vogue style of bag. I see lots of people take them to the farmers market or grocery store in lieu of closed totes.

Trendiness aside, I'm always wary to bring mine out and about because I'm nervous that smaller items are going to fall through the decidedly looser weave. Instead, I keep mine in the kitchen to store bunches of sturdier greens. Kale, Swiss chard, and collards always seem to last a little bit longer in my crisper when they're nestled in them.

Public Goods Wide Mesh Tote ($9)

Use it for: Kale, Swiss chard, collards

The mesh weave on these is tight enough that you don't have to worry about smaller stuff like mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, and string beans slipping through the cracks. I keep a few in my grocery shopping bag so I can use them for those loose items in lieu of plastic baggies. Since they're easy to see through, they don't add any time to the checkout process either.

When I get home, I place the bags and their contents directly into the fridge until I'm ready to cook with them. Once I do, I return the mesh bags to my grocery bag until next week.

Simple Ecology Mesh Reusable Produce Bags - Small ($3.75)

Use it for: Mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, string beans

These are good for extending the shelf life of fruits and veggies that you know you won't be using right away. The large terry cotton bag acts like a little humidifier: You run it under water and wring it out before placing your produce inside.

I find that it can keep anything that tends to wilt—zucchini, peppers, and asparagus—looking fresh for an extra few days in the fridge.

Vejibag Freshness Extending Produce Bag ($23.99)

Use it for: Zucchini, peppers, asparagus

Stasher bags have become super popular, and it's easy to see why. If you're someone who's used to storing food in single-use plastic baggies, switching over to Stasher isn't a big leap. They're a similar shape and have that same satisfying zip-like feature up top so you know they're really closed.

I always have a stash (no pun intended) of different-size ones lying around in my kitchen. I use the small ones for storing little odds and ends that I collect as I'm cooking: Half an onion, a lemon that's been cut into, etc. These larger, stand-up ones are great for snacky stuff. I'll throw prewashed grapes, carrots, and celery in them so they're sitting there waiting for me when I open the fridge. Bonus: They are dishwasher safe! And if you don't get to something in time, you can throw your Stashers in the freezer.

Stasher Reusable Silicone Stand-Up Mid Bag ($19.99)

Use it for: Snacks like pre-prepped carrots, grapes, or celery