The hype of shopping for local and organic, all natural and sustainably made products has been taking over the western market. Many people like the idea of it, without actually realizing the impact that they’re making by buying locally and shopping at home-run businesses.
When and how do we support our local community in Squamish?
We support the local community when we shop at local stores such as mini health food store markets, cideries, and breweries, bakeries, farmers market, and other food and beverage shops that produce/shop for their ingredients locally.
When ingredients and products are produced, made or grown in Squamish, that means: those take less energy to produce — close to zero waste and no waste when it comes to transport.
Another way of investing in local businesses is retail, service, and arts: home-based businesses like hairdressers makeup artists, shoe repairs, etc., as well as artists (such as myself). Photographers, painters, craftsmen, woodworking and shaping, glass melting artists and native art artists all benefit when we shop local.
When you really look into the reach of Squamish culture in the last decade, there are so many creative people, driving this community.
By supporting the locals, we are all participating in growing our community and our economy. I like this example, which comes from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance: “When buying from your local business you are helping a family put food on the table, send kids to school, buy clothes, etc. When buying from a big corporation, you are only adding up the founding to some millionaire’s third beach house.”
Every single one of our daily decisions is important.
Being mindful of where you shop and what you shop for can drive big changes.
When supporting our local businesses, we are contributing to local decision making.
Local ownership makes sure their decisions and votes remain on the side that is better for the community in comparison to big co-ops that don’t really care.
A great way to preserve the community is supporting those who are driving it.
Of course, by buying locally in Squamish you are making sure the money stays here.
If you are working in the city, you are bringing money in, but also keeping it in by buying local.
It is really good for the economy.
Growing local ownerships also creates more job opportunities and usually better wages than big chains.
According to ILSR, “Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers-which, in turn, are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.”
It is the most sustainable and eco-friendly decision to make. Shopping local reduces the environmental impact a lot, keeps the communities unique and diverse, invests in the community itself.
Alenka Mali
Squamish photographer
