Turning Basmati Rice Bags Into Reusable Tote Bags at Curry in a Hurry New Generation

At Curry in a Hurry New Generation in Minneapolis, we are always looking for small ways to make a positive impact in our community. Recently we started thinking about something simple that happens in our kitchen every day. Each morning we prepare fresh basmati rice for our dishes, which means we go through large cloth rice bags regularly.

In many kitchens these bags would simply be thrown away after they are emptied. But for our family, that never felt right. When I spoke with my parents about it, they shared memories from growing up in Bangladesh. Bags like these were never considered disposable. Families reused them for groceries, school bags, and everyday storage because the material is strong cloth and many of them even include a zipper. Instead of being waste, they became something practical that could be used again and again.

That conversation inspired an idea for our restaurant.

Curry in a Hurry New Generation is a Bangladeshi family run restaurant in Minneapolis, and we try to carry the values we grew up with into how we run the business. Rather than throwing away the rice bags we use in our kitchen, we decided to give them a second life by turning them into reusable tote bags for our customers.

These basmati rice bags are durable, unique, and each one has already been part of the cooking process that helps us prepare meals for the community. Now they can continue their life outside the kitchen while helping reduce paper and plastic bag waste.

We are offering these reusable tote bags for a one time purchase of fifteen dollars. With the purchase of a tote bag, customers also receive a free drink. Even better, customers who bring the bag back when picking up an order will receive five percent off their meal. To receive the discount, simply call in your order and bring the bag with you so we can pack your food directly inside it.

This small program is our way of reducing waste while sharing a piece of our family’s story. What was once considered a simple rice bag becomes a reusable item that reflects the resourcefulness many families practice around the world.

At Curry in a Hurry New Generation, sustainability does not always come from large programs or complicated systems. Sometimes it comes from traditions that families have followed for generations.

If you visit our restaurant in Minneapolis, we invite you to take part in this idea. Pick up one of our basmati rice tote bags, enjoy a free drink, and help us reduce disposable bag waste in our neighborhood. Every time you bring it back, you are not only receiving a discount but also helping continue a tradition that started many years ago in Bangladesh.

ORDER NOW TO BUY A TOTE BAG :)