Beyond the Farmers Market So what can you do to support local food economies? The farmers market is a great place to start, but we need to advocate for local food in our stores, schools, restaurants, hospitals and government offices. We need to harness the purchasing power of these institutions as drivers of local economic development. Another way to make the shift from conscious consumer in your own home to engaged food citizen in your community is to get involved in policy.
From local food policy councils to advocating for local and regional food in the upcoming federal Farm Bill, take this opportunity to learn about the issues and the stakeholders involved.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the Community Food Security Coalition are two organizations with plenty of suggestions for ways to get active in the policy arena. In my book, "Fair Food: Growing a Healthy Sustainable Food System for All," you will find an extensive list of organizations that are ready to help you deepen your engagement as a fair food citizen.
We should do everything we can to foster local food economies — nothing short of the health and well-being of our communities is at stake. The original post can be read on Zester Daily Soapbox. Author: Oran B. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The simple act of shopping local could have a HUGE impact on your community. As we move forward into the holiday season consider the many ways you are helping your community thrive by shopping local:.
When you support local businesses your money recirculates in your community, creating a multiplier effect. Dollars spent locally, can in turn be re-spent locally, raising the overall level of economic activity, paying more salaries, and building the local tax base. Small businesses are often some of the largest employers in our communities. Between and , for example, Canadian small businesses accounted for Buying locally means that employment levels are more likely to be stable, and may create more opportunities for local residents to work and shop in their communities.
Locally owned businesses contribute more to local charities and fundraisers than their national counterparts. By volunteering or making donations local business owners support local sports teams, non-profits, community groups and more. Local business owners invest in the community and have a vested interest in the future of the community. Because local businesses have a smaller consumer base, they have the advantage of tailoring their product and sales strategies for their communities.
This helps increase the diversity of local products and services and better meet the demands of the community. Additionally, products from local artisans or producers allow consumers to share the culture of their community with friends and family around the world. You get a personal connection with local owners — face-to face. The relationship built between residents and small business owners often spans years and, as a result, the service is often better.
Communities served by successful small businesses often see home values increase. First, buying local keeps money circulating within the local economy. Studies have shown that local businesses recirculate a greater share of every dollar as they create locally owned supply chains and invest in their employees. Data shows that local retailers return 52 percent of their revenue back into the local economy, compared to just 14 percent for national chain retailers.
Money circulating through the local economy benefits everyone who is a part of each transaction. First, they sell to a local restaurant, which in turn prepares the fresh produce and sells it to local customers. The farmer pays its local employees and the restaurant uses revenue from sales to buy supplies from a neighborhood hardware store. This example illustrates how the recirculation of money in the local economy leads to a stronger financial foundation for our neighbors and communities.
Buying local also fuels new employment and job opportunities for people within our community. Studies show, locally owned businesses employ more people per unit of sales and retain more employees over time.
Furthermore, the expansion and growth of local businesses help create a more stable, recession-resistant local economy and community alike. While buying local is financially compelling to our communities; the benefits to our environment are equally impressive. Buying locally reduces the processing of goods, packaging and transportation waste, which leads to less pollution. Local ownership also means that community members take part in making important decisions that will affect the community.
Additionally, buying locally means that you are supporting local entrepreneurs and innovation. Spending locally is a great way to contribute to a friendly and long-term business environment and it can be one of the key engines of community economic success. Shift Workspaces believes in the power of supporting one another on a local level, which is why we constantly strive to purchase locally sourced products, partner with local vendors and re-invest the profits from our business back into our community.
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