Love Local!
By Nimh Willow
A strong community is founded by love- love for one another, love for our home, love for all of the wonderful things going on around us. This month, during the “season of love,” take a moment to think about all of the things that you love about your community! Maybe it’s the smiling faces of your friends, or the beautiful park where you walk your dog, or delicious treats from your favorite cafe.
Loving your community means doing what you can to support it and help it thrive- and a very big way to accomplish this is by supporting local businesses. Local businesses keep money circulating within the local economy, as opposed to the national or global economy, which means a large percentage of it is being reinvested in the community, often in the form of charity and donations, but also as re-spent dollars at other local businesses. The longer this wealth remains in the area, the more people it benefits and the more it accomplishes.
For example, a local resident spends $45 at a local bakery, instead of buying from a chain store or ordering from afar. The bakery then spends that $45 on ingredients, one of which is a Maine local grain supplier. The grain supplier then spends that portion of the money on tool repair from a local repairman, who spends it on a coffee and treat at the local bakery we started at. See how when we work to support local businesses, the money is circulated, and stays within the local economy?
Charity and initiatives are another way that local businesses recirculate money. Many local banks and credit unions sponsor events in the community. Co-ops such as the Belfast Community Co-op have a “Common Cents” program where change rounded up at the register goes to local organizations. Even little general stores often raise money at the registers for animal shelters, veterans, or schools.
You may be asking yourself then, “How can I do more to support my local businesses, and share the love?”A good way to start is to take a look at your needs and expenses. What things do you purchase the most? Probably food, toiletries, recreation, to name a few. Break it down further- where can you begin to replace items and services that you purchase with local versions?
You could pledge to always buy birthday cakes from the nearest local bakery. You could commit to getting fresh, seasonal greens from your favorite farm. Maybe you only buy your skincare products from a local who sells at the farmers market. Perhaps you’ve become a full fledged member of your local co-op, and are partaking of the benefits of being a member-owner of your grocery supplier! Bigger ways to achieve this could be getting a gym membership for a small, local gym as opposed to a chain, or to subscribe to a farm’s CSA share program instead of a trendy meal kit box. However you do it, showing some love for what’s local is so important and every way in which you do counts!
Supporting local businesses is how we share the love in our community!
The photos featured in this post are of a local bakery, Spark Bagel. Their new store recently opened in Northport serving bagels, bagel sandwiches, and more. Check their website for hours and support an amazing local bagel shop!
Spark Bagel – located at 681 Atlantic Hwy, Northport, ME 04849
During this busy time of the year, let us help with your shopping! Visit our website here to shop online. Don’t forget owners can also pre-order large quantities of regularly stocked items at a discounted price to prepare for all of the wonderful holiday baking and entertaining! Save time and extra trips to the store! Email info@belfast.coop for more info.
Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-op; it is our mission and our pleasure to bring locally-sourced, reasonably priced, organic and natural products to all.
Owned by you. Food for all.