Shopping Local

Recently, our household has been discussing what it means to Shop Local.

Why we should do it. How to be intentional about it.

It's causing us all to think differently about our eating habits, our spendings and where to buy from.

We are blessed to live just a few hundred yards down the road from a butchers, green grocers and a pet shop. As well as other small independant businesses. So I understand that not everyone has access to shops and stores so close to their home.

Here are some reasons why I would encourage you to use local small businesses rather than supermarkets:

• They are privately owned and therefore need as much trade as they can get.

• (If you can) Shopping locally means you can connect and meet other folk who are in your area.

• Produce from a green grocers is going to be alot more healthy for you.

• Plastic and the use of it is at a minimum. Our grocers use brown paper bags or encourage you to bring your own bag.

Supermarkets are designed to be fast and convenient. And while they definitely still have their uses, shopping in a local butchers for example is alot more personal. You are seen as a person instead of a number and everything about it is so much more intentional.

As I wrap up these thoughts, I feel a challenge to myself to continue on this journey and to find a balance and a new rhythm of how I food shop and continue to ask myself one of the most important questions: Why?