Originally Posted by
Travelergcp
.... It would be nice to have some kind of padded plastic bag that takes up very little space in the suitcase ...
If you really need padded (probably you don't) then one cheap option is to use the collapsible picnic cooler bags (sold at Walmart etc.). Insulated for food storage and comes in useful for taking drinks to the beach etc. as well as emergency packing for the return trip.