LUISA WALLENSTEIN: 
“Having lived in one of the Azores islands in the middle of the Atlantic for most of my life, I was accustomed to using the available resources and re-using everything until it literally it was unusable, it was a way of life for us.  I remember when we first arrived to the US how shocked we all were by the fact that perfectly good and usable plastic bags were thrown out, beautiful jars were also thrown out once it was empty of its contents, even clothes went into the garbage.  Back in our little city Ponta Delgada these things and so many others would be used and reused until they either broke or wore out.  The jars were used for jams and jellies, the bags were used and reused and if you didn't have a bag when going to the market you had to buy one.  Clothes were passed down form cousin to cousin until they were worn out and then they were used for quilting.   My business back home was designing and making knit wear but I’ve always been a maker of things a transformer of stuff and prefer to do so with materials that need a second life. I turn old sweaters unwind them and make sweaters for the grandchildren, old, discarded furniture gets refurbished and used again, painting drop clothes become curtains. When given the opportunity to participate in this project by making reusable produce bags for fruits and vegetables I jumped at the chance for many reasons.  1- My love for the ocean and all things pretty, and sadness of seeing waste everywhere, knowing fully well that most things we call waste can be used again and again.  2- the opportunity to help others and the environment without having to leave home. I can do it quietly and unassumingly.  3- All the fabric for the bags has been either repurposed from materials we had at home or donated from the local community including from the buy-nothing groups. 4 -My 3 great grandchildren that love the beach. I want to make sure that when these three great grandchildren have grandchildren there will be a beach and an ocean free of harmful contents.