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Resolve to Live Green in the New Year: Shop Local
By Lafe | December 12, 2008
The end of the year is coming, and with it comes inevitable questions about New Year’s Resolutions. I think they can be powerful promises, especially when you think about how you can better your community and your planet rather than just yourself. Over the next few weeks, I’d like to offer a few suggestions for how to live green in 2009.
One of the easiest things you can do to live green — and support your community as well — is to shop local. In Austin, we recently had an Eat Local Week, which encouraged people throughout the city to dine at local restaurants and shop at local farmers’ markets. Not only does shopping local help small business owners and workers in your community, but in many instances, what you’re buying is fresher and doesn’t have to travel as far.
And though a growing number of larger businesses are beginning to see the value in selling organic products, as I noted in this blog a couple of months back, it’s often local co-ops and markets (such as Austin’s own Wheatsville Co-Op) who are the early adopters and advocates for quality organic products. Supporting these stores not only helps those owners who support vendors like Lafe’s, but it helps send a message to the entire industry that shoppers want quality organic products.
It’s not just happening in the United States — this recent Guardian article looked at the growing trend of food co-ops, working to bring its customers better food and a personal touch to their shopping experience.
Of course, shopping local isn’t the only way to save on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. If you comparison shop online versus driving to multiple stores, you’ll save time as well as resources. Making lists before you shop also helps you organize your trips and plan the shortest route.
It’s hard to shop locally for every single thing, of course. But it’s worth making a conscious effort to do so. You’ll get to know your city better as you’re out there improving it.
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