Buy Local Challenge
May 27, 2009
I assumed it would be easy.
I say this remembering what my 10th-grade history teacher said about what happens when you assume.
Ass = u, me.
But I seriously thought the Buy Local Challenge would be simple, like giving up coffee for lent (no, I’m not Catholic) or turning off the TV for a week — a change, but one that could be coped with on willpower alone.
And on its face, the challenge seemed simple enough: Don’t buy stuff on the Internet. Don’t buy stuff from corporate chains. Support brick-and-mortar stores. Support “mom-and-pops.”
Logically there’s no reason I couldn’t ace this challenge.
In one sense, my buy local challenge was a complete success. The money I spent for the week did go to local stores — no Amazon shopping sprees, no trips to Los Angeles boutiques.
At the same time, I spent more at chain stores and restaurants than I did at any “mom-and-pops” — a surprising and sad turn of events, no doubt.
Of course, I could have left. But these things came with some serious considerations, like convenience and a boat-load of habit. There are coffee places in town that aren’t the Big S (for example), but when pressed on it, I couldn’t think of one that was within short distance on my way back to work, and I needed the fix. There are a few mom-and-pop groceries left in town (we should probably start a list), but I needed just a few things and had only a few minutes and these are the choices we make.
And that’s the crux of it. This is not an all-or-nothing proposition. It can’t be. You’d tire yourself out trying, and you’d lose friends, no doubt. Who likes a self-righteous, obsessive freak who won’t ever shop at the Wal-Mart, much less Save Mart or Whole Foods?
It is a matter of degrees. Better the challenge serve as the start of a slow progression, a movement in the right direction, toward that circle of local dollars — local businesses creating local jobs creating local spending, and on and on, forever.
There are studies on how well all this works if you don’t believe me.
But that starts with awareness — like an intake evaluation before a diet. You can’t figure out what not to eat if you don’t know what’s going in. So I make a list of the things I learned over the week and I sock it away and keep it for next time.
Maybe I get to the farmers’ market this week. Maybe I find a new coffee place.
And while my challenge is over, the Buy Local Campaign is just gearing up.
I assume we’ll be hearing about this again.
everything is political
It is a very good thing to get people talking about who is selling and benefiting and where your money goes after you buy.
For me, everything is political. From the way you wear your hair to the clothes on your back. Somewhere down the line there is a political implication.
Why would you give your money to people who are making policies that you either disagree with or will actually do you harm?
You make the best argument for the buy local ad campaign in the massive Bee Buy Local section 30MAY09. Talk about math, I'm still going through it all. Anyone would have to be crazy to go against such a massive campaign supported by so many local heavyweights.
It all makes sense untill you scratch the surface.
Call me crazy, but I have learned over the years to never, ever believe what is said in advertising.
These local high rollers want us to buy local when we little people buy stuff, but where do the sellers of the luxury merchandise buy when they buy stuff?
Where are the things manufactured they sell? When they buy the labor to make the stuff where do they go to get it? They buy their manufacturing labor overseas.
Buy Local Challenge
Buying locally to me is important because I have friends and family that own their own businesses. I see them struggle to keep their prices low and inventory varied to keep people interested in returning to their business; but at a cost to their profits...the same profits that pay their "local" accountant, pay their employees, pay the technicians that fix their equipment...all of that money stays in the local economy because those people, live, eat and shop locally.
What I am trying to take out of this challenge to buy local is to not shop on the internet and to make better choices (when available) where I buy my goods & services. If it means eating peanut butter and jelley for a day because I spend just a little bit more, than that is the small sacrafice I am willing to make to help our local economy. I LOVE my hardworking business owner friends and I don't want to see their businesses fail! That is why I have committed to taking the buy local challenge.
It's a balance we strike
What you say is true. It would be close to impossible to buy completely local. Is there a Fresno company that makes pants? Cars? If there were, the products would most likely be custom and cost prohibitive and still the raw materials would come from ... where?
The best we can do is be aware of what we're buying and make choices based on more than simple convenience and cost (because there are costs not included in the sticker price). So while the Buy Local Campaign may not be perfect in its execution (I don't know if it could be), if it starts people talking about these issues and asking themselves questions about what they buy (and why), it will be a good thing, no?
buy local talent
I like buying local as long as it has good value. And the guy isn't a total crook. I see the buy local tag in the Bee on ads from only certain businesses, like Fresno Volvo and Fashion Furniture. By their definition buying a Volvo is still buying local. Maybe they're making Volvos in Arkansas like Hondas. I noticed Michael Volkswagon doesn't have the buy Local tag on their ads. Maybe it's because they know everybody thinks VWs are made in Germany and it would be a stretch to ask people to buy a VW and call it buying local.
We bought a dining set recently from Macys. On the bottom of the table is an easy to find tag that says, made in China. Checked out a lot of dining tables at other well-known furniture stores in Fresno and could not find one that didn't say made in China.
I think these are the same people who worked so hard to convince us that shipping all the factories overseas in the 90's was a good idea. And continued to give them tax breaks for doing so. And now they want us to buy local when it's not really buying local. The sales tax benefit is cited yet they have been against every tax that has ever come along.
Buy local music:
http://www.stagedive-records.com/mailorder.html
Beautiful tie-in.
And some great ska too.
buying local? try this!
Here's one way to buy local.
Local/MomPop/Difficulties
I wasn't keeping careful track of exactly which dates your
post set as the 'buy local challenge', but I was sort of aware of
it for about a week. (sort of aware....hmmmm, I sense trouble already).
I've definitely looked into some of the research as to why this is important (unless we really really want all power, decision making and wealth to be concentrated into fewer and fewer hands).....but it is
a challenge.
One success I had, was a bike trip that I extended by a short bit to reach Kingsburg Supermarket rather than Savemart (but this was balanced by the Savemart trip that I made the next day---they have those really good french breads that make awesome sandwiches).
I still buy into the thought that if you pay a tiny bit more at a mom n' pop (and you don't always), that it's worth it----like a personal tax on yourself to keep the world a little more live-able.
I also understand the arguments that say it's not all black and white----like....is Savemart local? ---they're huge, but they're Valley run and owned and contribute greatly to lots of local causes.
Also....one becomes aware that....well, we live in a world that has it's share of corruption----you may boycott Product X or Store X...but you just drove over in a car using gasoline that was [insert Your Favorite Evil Thing About Big Oil here].
So yeah. Balance,,,,,,and AWARENESS. Living 'Consciously' as some people say it....is kinda challenging.
I Can Relate
I like your observations! I'm always striving for balance myself. I try to buy local, I try to recycle, I try to bring canvas bags with me where ever I go, I try to eat healthy...
BUT AT WHAT PRICE? Sometimes the price is monetary. Sometimes, as you mentioned, it's at the price of your friendships.
I think the most crucial part of what you wrote is Awareness. The closed minded attitude of "What can 1 person do?" makes me insane! When you are aware, you are able to slow down and extend yourself to make a better choice that can and WILL make a difference.
Good Job!
Marisa
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