About
Bags for the People began in the winter of 2009 with three friends who worked at the Union Square Farmers Market in New York City. They observed an exorbitant use of plastic bags each and every day of the market and felt it was necessary to make a positive change.
In an effort to curb plastic bag use, they began making re-usable bags from repurposed clothing and fabric, giving them out for free at the market. From this modest initial action, Bags for the People has evolved into an organization that it is today.
Meet Bags for the People
Glenn Robinson, New York, NY
Glenn Robinson achieved his BA in communications from Chapman University in Southern Califor- nia and since then has purveyed the world of arts, culture, food, sustainability, and society. In 2004 he created and published an online culture zine that featured undiscovered artists, musicians, writ- ers, and places of interests. Soon after he found himself directing a small art gallery with a focus on emerging artists. After transplanting to New York Glenn's experience in the art world culminated in his position as Artistic Director for a boutique advertising agency, however with the abundance of all his accomplishments his fulfillment was lacking. Because of this he dove head first into the local food systems of New York, working closely with organic farms and farmers he acted as a conduit to the accessibility of healthy food to the public. This lead him to face the issue of plastic bags due to the prevalence of their use at the New York City farmers markets, resulting in the creation of BFTP.
Lauren Saracene, New York, NY
Lauren Saracene received a BA in Geography from SUNY New Paltz, concentrating on GIS and Urban Planning. After graduating, Lauren found her education in Geography offered insight in the areas of sustainability, agriculture, and small business. These personal interest provoked Lauren to experience work in a variety of different fields; GIS and GPS mapping, Geography education, Fair Trade industries, natural foods, and small business management. While living in Brooklyn, NY, Lauren become involved with the farmer's Green Market and was introduced to a rapidly-evolving project focused on reducing waste and self-empowerment. Her knowledge of sewing, creativity, and a mutual respect for the cause was immediately embraced and she continues to support the modest mission of BFTP.
Leslie Henkel, New York, NY
Leslie Henkel received her BA in Visual Arts Media from UC San Diego, where she also worked as an Arts Bridge Scholar, teaching art history and practice to children at the on-campus charter school. Post graduation, she continued teaching via after-school science and art programs in the San Francisco Bay Area, and in 2004, travelled to Japan to teach English to both children and adults for nearly a year. After relocating to New York in 2005 to attend New York University's Summer Publishing Institute, entertaining thoughts of becoming a book editor, Leslie instead found herself attracted to the world of publicity and marketing. She has since worked as a publicist for three major publishing houses; Mac- millan, Penguin, and Abrams, where her work with the STC Craft imprint fortuitously introduced her to Bags For The People. Leslie is pleased to be able to offer her publicity and marketing experience, as well as her interest in the arts, teaching, and community-building to the Bags For the People team.
