I haven't seen a zipper bag in their "bulk" section (that's been my one complaint about them, is that they pre-portion their bulk into little plastic baggies... )! Maybe that's new. I haven't shopped in their bulk in a while, since I usually just take my jars and flour sacks to Sprouts for bulk. :)
HA I believe it about the bag police, but at least they are being anal about a good cause. XD
The cooler bags are nice when you ride the bus like me. If I'm just strolling to the stores that are close I don't usually bother, but when I know it's going to take a while to commute, I do. Mine is from Wild Oats, where I used to work, and which got bought out by Whole Foods years ago. I also have a VC/NG bag that actually says "Vitamin Cottage" instead of "Natural Grocers" and is canvas (which I don't think they have canvas ones anymore?). The last time I used it there, the cashier was like "OH YOU'RE A LONG TIME BAG REUSER!" lol