Why Think Local

Most Canadians simply fail to ask, "where did this come from" when making purchases. We put it in our cart often without any consideration of where it is from, the conditions under which it was produced or the carbon emissions that occurred during the manufacturing process or during shipping. It is simply put - time to THINK and time to THINK LOCAL!

Ten Top Reasons to Buy Local

• Reduces carbon emissions created by shipping and trucking products from distant locations.  For example: The average egg on a breakfast table in BC travels 5373 km! In this moment 8 out of 10 Canadians are wearing clothing manufactured outside our country - and most of it is made in sweat shops.

• Increased Communication:  More opportunity for dialogue between consumer and producers.

• Factory Carbon Emissions:  When you buy locally made products, or at least Canadian products, you know the factory that made it conforms to our emission standards. It isn't a feel good feeling to have a home full of products made in smoke spewing factories in  developing countries.

• Labour Standards: Increased confidence that the products you use meet socially acceptable standards.

• Healthy Choices: Developing more personal relationships between growers/producers and consumers allows the consumer an opportunity to make personal choices about what they consume and/or the ability to cope with personal dietary needs (such as allergies).

• Fresher: Food is fresher, retaining more of the natural nutrients. Also, reduces the need for preservatives or processes used to retard spoilage -- some of which we may or may not be willing to expose ourselves to - such as some irradiation processes.

• Support Local Economy: Every part of our local economy that is supported well, supports other aspects of our local economy. Big Box stores, by contrast, have little interest in the 'where or how' but rather are most concerned with the bottom line only. Local artisans and growers, while they also need a healthy bottom line, are usually doing what they do because they love it.

• Support Local Talent:  Local designers, artists, and culinary masters too often have difficulty supporting a reasonable standard of living -- simply because the energy it takes to do what they do well, leaves very little time to market their products. We hope to make it easier for both local talent and local consumers to find one another.

• Local Businesses: Local producers, artists, designers, growers have a vested interest in their own community and are corporate citizens reinvesting in our community.  When local businesses do well, they have the resources and opportunities to contribute to social causes within our community.

• Local Culture: Products made locally are an expression of our own culture. They are an opportunity to say who we are. They owners of companies that produce or grow local products are in tune with the needs and interests of their community.