I Buy Local. Do You?

Posted by Mel on Jun 23, 2010 in Inspiration for Your Day, Say hello to my Little Friends | 5 comments

The “I Buy NEO” campaign is something I can definitely promote.

It’s all that I practice on a regular basis and only wish more Clevelanders would adapt and make this a priority.

Even when traveling, I try my best to include locally-owned coffee shops, restaurants and bakeries in my itinerary.

Here’s what you need to do:
Accept the Buy Local Challenge.

What that means:
Between July 3-10 make a pledge to spend at LEAST $100 in locally owned and operated businesses. (Good thing I’m not traveling that week). and HEY, get out to the Wolstein Center see the BRRG finals on Saturday, July 10!

Here’s what I do:
I shop at local farmer markets and use a local-farm CSA program.
I refuse to eat at chain restaurants — not only because of the local issue, but for my HEALTH.
And speaking of healthy choices, I go to a local fitness center, not one of those big-box scary lifestyle center gyms.
I buy my daily-use ground coffee from a local shop.
I buy my booze from local distributors, stores and chocolate shops.
I skate at a local (and classic!) roller skating rinks.
I buy ALL my derby gear from local hockey or skate shops (we’re so lucky to have these here!).
I don’t have cable, so I get out often to enjoy all the wonderful entertainment within this city! Take that Time Warner, I’d rather throw my $120 per month at CLEVELAND.
I pay late fees frequently to the Cleveland Public Library.
I joined the TacoTour2010 which is on a mission to find the best (and authentic) Mexican food in the city.

Your BONUS?:
As a “thank you” for participating in the Buy Local Challenge, you will receive a discount card to use at over 40 area businesses and attractions throughout the month of August.

The positive aspect of social media:
Sharing, of course. Encourage your friends, family and online tweeps to join you. And if they don’t? You have good reason to unfriend. Use the #buylocalneo hashtag with Twitter.

Download and post the widget or badge on your own blog and spread the word.

Word?

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http://blog.robpitingolo.org Rob

I also refuse to eat at chain restaurants (Chipotle excepted) – add for one additional reason: taste!
.-= Rob´s last blog ..Broken Products, Broken Brands =-.
http://livingwiththeboyfriend.blogspot.com Allison

saw this on Twitter and will participate, but I already do anyway.
.-= Allison´s last blog ..summa summa-time =-.
http://bitebuff.blogspot.com/ Bite Buff

This is a great challenge- something that we all should be practicing in our daily life anyways! However, I will be out of the country the 1st-12th so it would be near impossible for me to do!
.-= Bite Buff´s last blog ..Bistro on Lincoln Park =-.
leogurl24

Not only local coffee shops, but those that support fair trade and those that grow beans in shaded areas. Do you know how much land it takes to have a coffee plantations and how much deforestation is happening? Just a few things to think about. There are some great LOCAL FARMS in NE Ohio (Hiram, Sandusky, Ravenna) to get your produce and meat. Those places aren’t reserved for restaurants. Sometimes CSA’s can be either too expensive or too much food for one person. That’s where heading to your local farm is perfect! If you really must go to a coffee shop, at least make it Starbucks. They do a lot for the environment and part-time workers. Chipotle is actually owned by McD’s. Think before you order that Carnitas burrito (so good though). All in all, it’s all about the LOCAL choice you make. Anything you can buy at Walmart is certainly found LOCALLY
http://www.suburbansweetheart.com Suburban Sweetheart

Love the idea of this. I try to buy local as often as I can but have a hard time giving up on Target & Safeway.
.-= Suburban Sweetheart´s last blog ..Like Alanis Says- You Live- You Learn =-.