Tag Archives: shop local

I love shopping local

The best places to bring your friends from out of town are your local restaurants and local businesses.  When I go shopping in the city chain stores I’m appalled to see sales clerks chatting with their friends on cell phones rather than waiting on me. When I finally get their attention some don’t even have a clue what their store stocks or when the new orders come in. Asking to speak to the department manager doesn’t always produce good results. However, I have asked for several products to be brought into our local stores and management did that for me cheerfully. They made it clear that if there was a demand for the products they would continue to stock them so I contacted my friends, they contacted their friends, the word spread and the demand grew.

How shopping local benefits communities

(1) Keep the money in your community

(2) Keep the jobs in your community

(3) Keep the tax flow community based

(4) Keep the scale small and livable

(5) Keep the decision making local

(6) Keep the social experience

(7) Keep the local options

(8) Keep customer orientated service

(9) Keep attracting new businesses

(10) Keep local farmers

(11) Keep authenticity and diversity

(12) Keep transportation costs down

Discussion questions:
(1) Do you shop locally?
(2) If so, then would you like to add to this list of benefits that result from shopping locally?

Farmers Market

The Farmers’ Market has become a major event right through the summer, attracting both locals and visitors to the island.  Dozens of local farmers sell fresh produce and many local artists, craftspeople and artisans display their work for sale. If you want to buy local produce or crafts, you won’t have to go far to find what you are looking for on  Saturday morning.

I work at our local Farmers’ Market every Saturday and I really enjoy the opportunity to socialize with friends and to buy high quality, locally grown organic produce and herbs.

Do you shop at at local Farmers’ market?

Why Shop at the Farmers’ Market?

farmersmarketfolks

The food is at its freshest because it doesn’t have to travel hundreds of miles to get to you. Local producers can select their produce varieties for taste, rather than their ability to travel.

You can help ensure that local farmland will stay in production. You can talk to the people who grow or make your food and they can and will respond to your needs, tastes, and questions.

More than a marketplace, it’s a social gathering where friends and families meet.

farmers-market

May/June

Asparagus, Artichokes, Cauliflower, Cherries, English Peas, Fava Beans, Fresh Herbs, Green Onions, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, New Potatoes, Radishes, Rhubarb, Salad Greens, Spinach, Strawberries, Turnips

farmersmarket1July

Apricots, Beets, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cherries, Cucumbers, Garlic, Green Beans, Green Onions, Herbs, Leeks, Lettuce, Nectarines, Peaches, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Salad Greens, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips

farmersmarketbreadAugust Apples, Apricots, Artichokes, Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery Corn, Cucumbers, Currants, Garlic, Herbs, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Melons, Nectarines, Plums, Potatoes, Raspberries, Salad Greens, Shallots, String Beans, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes

farmersmarket2

September

Apples, Basil, Beets, Blackberries, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Chives, Cilantro, Corn, Garlic, Grapes, Hazelnuts, Kale, Kiwi, Leeks, Melons, Red & Yellow Onions, Parsnip, Pears, Fall Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radish, Swiss – Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Walnuts, Winter Squash farmersmarket5

October: Apples, Beets, Blackberries, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Garlic, Grapes, Hazelnuts, Herbs, Kale, Leeks, Melons, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Winter Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Walnuts