Woolworths announces new bag to raise money for charity

Woolworths has announced a change is coming to its reusable bags, and it expects shoppers will gladly get on board.

Woolworths has announced a new range of reusable grocery bags designed by an Indigenous artist.

The major supermarket has collaborated with Warumungu Wombana artist and founder of creative agency Nugngala Creative Jessica Johnson to design the bags.

The three colourful and intricate designs titled ‘Fresh as’, ‘Journey Lines’ and ‘Landtracks’ have already begun to make their way into local supermarkets.

The bags will be made using at least 70 per cent recycled materials.

The new bags come as Woolworths donates $100,000 to the Yothu Yindi Foundation which supports the education of Yolngu First Nations students in Arnhem Land in the NT.

They will cost customers $2, are larger than the current 99 cent bags, and come with longer handles for carrying on the shoulder

Ms Johnson said she was “super excited” to have her designs on the bags that will soon be in the hands of thousands of Australians.

“The artwork itself is an expression of that joy of eating. We call it the food dance!” she said.

“It’s like an uncontrollable happiness that turns into a little groove in anticipation of chowing down.

“Each bag has its own flavour but is essentially a celebration of food in its own unique way.”

The bags are bigger than the 99 cents Woolies green bags and will cost customers $2.

The launch of the art bag has come alongside a partnership with the Yothu Yindi Foundation, with Woolworths donating $100,000 to the not-for profit to go toward supporting the education of Yolngu students in Northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

The funds will go toward creating the Garma Institute, a “world-class education hub” in the Northern Territory, according to Yothu Yindi’s chief executive Denise Bowden.

“Education is at the heart of everything we do and the Garma Institute is a game-changer for the region,” she said.

“This is a new model in education, one that properly integrates Yolngu knowledge and learning into the curriculum, and we know that it works.”