Whether it is keeping dollars circulating in the community, creating jobs, or wanting a prosperous and unique neighborhood, there are so many benefits to shopping local, including helping out the environment. A healthy environment is essential for human survival and well-being, as it ultimately provides clean air, water, food, and helps to regulate the overall climate. Our health is deeply connected to the health of the planet, and maintaining a healthy environment is essential for a safe, sustainable future.
See below for several ways Shopping Local Benefits the Environment.
Fewer Food Miles
The term “food miles” refers to the distance that food travels to reach your local supermarket. If we buy local produce and goods, we can cut down on our food miles and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
By shopping locally, you are purchasing goods produced in your local community. By cutting down on these miles, you are reducing the overall environmental impact of your food.
Supporting Local is Political
More Accessible
Local businesses are able to operate in their local communities. It’s easy for them to bring their products to their consumers because their consumes are nearby.
Example: farmers market
Fresher Produce
By buying and eating local, consumers are able to enjoy produce that is fresh and nutritious. Many local producers pride themselves on keeping their product organic, hormone free, and pesticide free. No only is this beneficial to the consumer, it’s also beneficial to the environment.
Since the food is local and is directly given to supermarkets, there is often less waste. Many imported goods often go bad before they are purchased, producing lots of waste.
Read more: Greater Cincinnati Farmers Markets
Protects Land and Wildlife
By buying local, you are supporting local farmers and producers. Because the farms are owned and operated by local farmers and producers, they don’t run the risk of being sold to local developers, which could completely transform the land, devastating the wildlife that calls it home. Or, big business producers could buy out the farm and incorporate human and non-eco-friendly farming practices.
Local Workforce
An added environmental benefit of buying locally is supporting the local workforce. For example, if you buy your groceries at the local farmers market, you’re helping to keep local growers, creators, and farmers in their jobs.
Up to 90% of net new jobs in the US are created by locally owned businesses.
Support and Invest in Community
Local businesses donate more per sales dollar to local nonprofits, events, and teams compared to national chains.
For every $100 spent at locally owned businesses, at least $58 recirculates and remains in the local economy. Local businesses are owned by your friends and neighbors who live in the community, are less likely too leave, and are more invested in our communities’ futures—just like you.
Did you know? Small businesses donate 250% more to local nonprofits than large companies.
Guide to Shopping Local in Cincinnati
Food Waste Reduction
Food loss accounts for “8% of anthropologic greenhouse gas emissions.” Large retailers overstock their shelves and risk having their items go to waste. Conversely, local farmers sell food directly to consumers, eliminating the need to overstock.
Shopping local doesn’t just reduce environmental impact. It means means keeping money local, building a better local economy, creating jobs, connecting with the community, putting your taxes to good use, supporting local creators, getting better customer service, helping local nonprofits, getting fresher and more unique products, putting a face to the creator, keeping the community unique, and encouraging local prosperity. Whew! That’s a lot of good!
If you are you looking for any specific or custom recommendations for where to shop, explore, or get involved, just ask!
Sources: gogreen.org, kiwienery.us, uwaterloo.ca, sustainableconnections.org
