Local Flavor

Supporting the Buy Local Movement

In this age of social media, we are exposed to new ideas at a rapid pace. Depending on your social circle, you may be inundated with advice on healthy living from your online friends. Sleep more. Sleep less. Only eat organic foods. Organic doesn’t matter, but do not dare eat non-GMO. Try this cleanse. Cleanses don’t work, just eat paleo. Make sure your kids are in the same school as the other neighborhood kids. Make sure your kids go to Montessori school. If you really cared, you would homeschool your kids. *deep breath*

We all want to lead better lives and create better lives for our families, but all the advice can be overwhelming and the good ideas can get lost in the wash. What about the phrase, “Buy Local?” You have probably seen it used online, seen signs at local businesses during the holidays, or maybe even heard it during a stroll through a farmers’ market. But what does it really mean and how does it benefit our lives?

Buying local can improve and ultimately transform a community. The most successful and thriving communities in the US have something in common: They take charge in enriching, empowering and supporting their local businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs. Local small businesses accounted for 65 percent of all new jobs over the past 17 years and they employ 77 million Americans. If independent businesses regained their market shares circa 1990, it would create 200,000 new small businesses, generate nearly $300 billion in revenues and employ more than 1.6 million American workers. Can you imagine what it could do for the place we call home? Studies say that residential neighborhoods served by a successful independent business district can gain, on average, 50 percent more in home values than neighborhoods without one.

Living Local puts worth and value in our cities and supports the places and things that make it different from anywhere else in the country.

But Buy Local is one aspect of the bigger idea of Living Local. Living Local means supporting community events, supporting your local business owners, eating locally, and calling on local services for a better environment as a whole. Living Local puts worth and value in our cities and supports the places and things that make it different from anywhere else in the country. This means more tourism, more jobs, and more people moving to our region. With amazing non-profits, businesses and independent groups in the Winnebago County region working together, Winnebago County is in great shape to create something on a grassroots level that could change life as we know it. Here is how you can help by Living Local.

Spend more time at community-based events

Farmers’ markets, community concerts, museums, and non-profit events. Spend time, not just once in awhile, but as frequently as life allows. Most community events cost little to attend and will create invaluable memories for you and your family and friends. If you are willing, it will help you learn more about the non-profits and organizations that have CHOSEN to serve this community. Their passion for your community and quality of life will be infectious.

Eat Local

Eating local is more than simply eating at locally owned restaurants. You can eat local at your restaurants, but also consider drinking coffee at your local coffee shop, buying coffee for home from local roasters, and buying produce from local farmers and meats from your local deli or butcher. The age of convenience is here, but if you take an extra step, you’ll find it is easier over time, as well as healthier, for you and your family to consume fresh goods. We think about the future of our health constantly, and living local via food consumption makes a long-term (and delicious!) difference.

Shop and Buy Local

Shopping local means not only buying a holiday gift from a local store, but shopping for your next appliance or furniture piece, buying your hair products, vitamins, or your next date night outfit, locally. Your unique style will blossom, and you will find joy in knowing even your small purchases benefit a local business that appreciates your support and generates more revenue for our local economy.

Utilize Local Services

Does your lawn, plumbing, or air conditioning need maintenance? Do you need new windows? Will you need photography or design for an upcoming special event in your life? Are you looking into personal trainers or a health club? Utilizing your local services will give you quality work from those services who chose to establish their businesses in the city where you live.

If you need more help getting started living locally, try playing this game inside your head: Whenever you head out of the house, ask yourself, “Can I do what I am about to do, locally?” and proceed. The result will be a life full of community spirit, friendship, and happiness as you surround yourself with unique, independent, and motivated individuals who are succeeding at improving the Winnebago County area.

For resources on local events and local businesses in Winnebago County, check out www.WinnebagoBuyLocal.com, www.RockfordBuzz.com, and www.GoRockford.com.
Sources: Small Business Administration; Intuit Small Business Innovation Study; American Express OPEN Independent Retail Index; Civic Economics/American Booksellers Assoc., U.S. Dept. of Labor