Go Green: Go Local

Welcome to the Go Green-Eco Friendly Living for Families program. This program is sponsored by Safe Kidz Educational Services who specialize in providing on-line child safety, health and fitness informational programs.

In this episoide we will be talking about the importance and impact of shopping locally when ever possible. Using local merchants, craftsmen and tradesmen is really one of those activities that with a little effort can really leverage our going green efforts!


Go green, go local.

When you buy anything made within a 100 mile radius of your community you're casting a wide net of green mindedness. Whether you're buying from a farmer, carpenter, winery or a coffee shack, using local resources builds the entire community up. The money you spend stays circulating within your area, keeps small businesses thriving, cuts down on transportation costs to and from the source and a certain pride in the product will show. Local merchants have a positive reputation to nurture if they want to survive so customer care is generally quite a bit better.

Go green, go local and stay happy with the quality of products you get.

A local farmers' market is a treasure trove of unique, personal resources. Hand-crafted edible and non-food items made by your neighbors are one-of-a-kind gems and they're easier to get information about. You can ask the designer or the grower when, where and how it was made. If you see a craft or skill you share with a vendor, you can ask where they get their supplies and why they chose that place. You can visit many of the farms and studios your favorite items, to see where they come from to get an even better idea of the growing or making process.

Go green when you get local products by reducing packaging waste and costs.

Bring your own mug for that morning espresso and grab a bag of fresh-roasted beans or a muffin that was made 2 hours ago by the baker. You kept a paper cup and box out of the landfill and didn't contribute to the use of extra fuel for shipping the beans or muffin across state. How easy was THAT? With all the fresh produce available during the warmer months, why not grab an iced tea, some totes and visit the small farms near you? More and more of these little farms are letting you go pick your own produce if you want. No trucking fees, plenty of foods and flowers to pick from and the only packaging used is newspaper to wrap delicate things in your totes.


Go green when you support your local fairs.

These are usually sponsored by Parks & Rec. Departments or Co-Opts so the venders are normally local crafts artists. Just like getting to know a local farmer can help in getting to know you local food chain and supporting its continuation, you will be supporting the continuation of local artists and craftspeople in their crafts, a part of your local heritage!

Go green, get to know your area, crafts people and resources better.

There are still many local businesses that, once you have a good relationship with them, will even barter some their wares for yours. The more you support your local merchants the more you'll see come back to your community.

To discover more ways that you can support your local community and help the environment at the same time jump on the free E-course that will show you how to get started right away! Fill in your first name and email address. Its that easy to start saving money while helping the planet!