Buying local products can revitalize communities, improve working conditions, reduce environmental impact, and support small independent farms and local businesses. It also sends a message to companies and can have long-term benefits for the community’s wealth and civic betterment.
Consumers are often urged to “buy local” as well as fair trade and organic. Since it can be more expensive to buy local, some consumers are wondering why that matters. In fact, there are arguments on both sides of the “buy local” debate. People who advocate buying local produce argue that it creates a kind of ripple effect that can revitalize communities, improve working conditions, and have a positive impact on the environment. Thanks to a growing number of “buy local” movements, many regions of the world are promoting “buy local” campaigns, allowing consumers to easily identify local independent shops with branding such as stickers and signs.
When it comes to food, some activists believe in the “100-mile diet” — the idea that people should only consume food grown within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of them. By buying food locally, you can reduce your impact on the environment by reducing the number of “food miles” food has to travel to reach you. You can also support small independent farms instead of corporations. Eating on site can also help you learn more about the natural environment around you. Connecting with food suppliers is another perk if you shop locally at farmers markets or through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
Buying locally produced consumer goods is also valuable. This way, you support local businesses that hire locals, pay more taxes, and spend money on other local businesses. Therefore, your money stays in the community, rather than traveling outside of it. When you need goods that aren’t made in your community, you can still buy them in locally owned, independently owned stores and support the local economy. In the United States, consumers are encouraged to purchase goods made in the United States, as they are less likely to use child labor and harmful environmental practices than those made in nations with looser labor and environmental laws.
If you shop local alongside organic and fair trade, you are also sending a message to companies that produce consumer goods. By indicating that you support the local economy, you are demonstrating a commitment to your community and an intent to form a stronger economic foundation for your home region. You’re also demonstrating a commitment to locally owned businesses, rather than companies that hire locals, but take the money they make elsewhere. In addition, you support a clearly visible supply chain which allows you to see where your goods come from and how they are produced. Finally, you indicate that you care about working conditions and the environment, and are willing to pay more for cruelty-free goods.
While it may be more expensive to buy locally in the short term, it can have positive long-term benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. Buying local can enhance your community’s wealth by working with local businesses, which in turn can make your area more pleasant to live in. With a greater percentage of money residing in the community, cities can afford to engage in civic betterment, better support schools, and sponsor the arts and letters in your community. Buying local produce can revitalize downtown business districts, which often suffer when a big box store comes to town, and will strengthen your ties with neighbors and business associates.
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