Brown-bag sales soar as people tighten up finances and diets

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Designer handbags -- or copies -- have been priority fashion items recently, generating waiting lists for four-figure purchases. Spiffy messenger bags are men's new favorites.
But another tote on the upswing in popularity is the simple brown paper lunch bag. More people are taking their lunch to work, the Wall Street Journal says.
The trend is driven in part by the need to save money. The financial Web site www.dinkytown.net calculates you can save about $100,000 over a 30-year career of homemade lunches. It's also boosted by widespread dieting. High protein, low carbs? Take your own.
While little data exist, sales in adult-size brown paper bags have increased 12 percent each year at paper bag maker, AJM Packaging Corp., in Michigan. Back-ups and queues are reported at company microwaves.
It's not surprising to find companies such as Tupperware, Travelers Club and eBags.com introducing streamlined neutral-colored (no cartoon characters, please) lunch totes with two tiers for drinks and food.