BUYING LOCAL gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling

Buying local gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I’ve always thought it would be cool to have a little roadside produce stand where I’d sell home grown tomatoes and okra and fragrant lavender from my garden. It would be shaded by one massive oak tree and my wooden tables would be covered with vintage oilcloths. For me, stopping at farm fresh produce stands is like buying cookies from a girl scout—impossible not to do.

Awesome Farm Fresh Produce, located just on the edge of Mountain Home, Arkansas, has all the things I consider important in a produce stand—honey and jam, fruit and veggies, banners and twinkle lights, an American flag. It reminds me of the fruit stand we visited once upon a time during our Maui vacation. (If you’ve driven the Road to Hana, you’ve probably stopped at Hana Farms, too. Best.Banana.Bread.Ever.)

It’s important to stop at roadside stands whenever you see one, (and support your farmer’s market), and I’m gonna tell you why.

Of course I am.

1. For every dollar you spend locally, three dollars is pumped into your local community. This is called the Multiplier Effect.
2. Local businesses help keep “Fayetteville Funky” and “Austin Weird”. Who wants to live in a plain vanilla, cookie-cutter town filled only with big box businesses and fast food joints? Not me.
3. Buying local creates more local jobs. Not only do small business owners hire employees, these are the companies buying local advertising, printing, hiring attorneys, etc. In other words, buying local is a long-term investment in community.
4. Planet Earth will thank you. Buying fresh veggies from the local farmer’s market reduces overall environmental impact. I know I’m speaking tree hugger, but think about it… Oregon apples sold in Arkansas include the cost of transportation, congestion, pollution. Buying local minimizes and nearly eliminates this. (And I have nothing whatsoever against Oregon apples.)
5. And my favorite reason—local food is fresher, tastier, and in season.

Yay! Buying local makes for a good day.

What’s your reason for buying locally?

[tweetthis]For every dollar spent, three dollars is pumped into the local economy #arkansasfood #buylocal @Arkansas_Grown[/tweetthis]

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:
The Beatles, Good Day Sunshine