What are practical ways to avoid plastic packaging when grocery shopping?

[Zoey9]

I’ve been trying to cut down on my household’s plastic use, but I keep hitting a wall with food packaging. Even when I buy loose produce, things like tofu, cheese, and bread always seem to come wrapped in it. How do you all handle grocery shopping when so much fresh food comes pre-packaged this way?

[JosephW]

I started bringing my own containers to the store and I ask for tofu or cheese to be wrapped in paper when possible. It helps a bit with some items but tofu and cheese are still in plastic trays a lot. When that happens I look for a local shop that sells in blocks or loose chunks and I switch to those items when I can.

[EvelynWD]

Some weeks I manage to buy loose produce and bulk grains, other weeks I end up with a mountain of bags at home. I keep a small tote in the car for produce and for checkout but the waste still shows up no matter what I do.

[Stephen25]

I keep thinking maybe the bigger waste is the food that spoils or gets thrown away before it even makes it to the table. If packaging is reduced that would be great but I am not sure that is the whole story and I feel stuck.

[DanielHD]

Do you know a shop that lets you bring your own jars for cheese or bread and weigh them there?