10 reasons to buy local

Yesterday I went to my local East Dulwich green grocer and bought about 8 mushrooms, 4 tomatoes, a whole load of green beans, a pepper and 5 onions for £2.50! Bargainous. And that's not even the best bit - even though they were meant to have shut they let me in anyway, they then proceeded to make polite conversation with me (!) and they even smiled!! A very different experience to the one I'd have received had I gone to Somerfield.

Then today I came across this at PSFK + thought I'd share because I believe strongly that shopping locally is the thing to do + this gives a brilliant list of why we should all do it.

Local First, a Grand Rapids Michigan-based organization that encourages sustainable, locally-based economies has made a simple but effective illustration of how money flows if it’s spent at a locally owned business versus a non-local business. They also explain their top ten reasons to shop local first:

1. Significantly More Money Re-circulates

When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms.

2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support

Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners.

3. Unique Businesses Create Character & Prosperity

The unique character of Grand Rapids is what brought us here and keeps us here. Our tourism businesses also benefit.

4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced

Local businesses make more local purchases requiring less transportation and usually set up shop in town centers rather than on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

5. Most New Jobs Are Provided By Local Businesses

Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally.

6. Customer Service Is Better

Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service.

7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community

Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public Costs

Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores.

9. Competition And Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices

A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

10. Investment In Greater Grand Rapids Is Encouraged

A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Source: PSFK via Local First via Curbly