We are all part of giant community – the world. Many of us hear about buying local produce but never act on it. The revitalization of the Good Things Grow ad is not just an Ontario Food marketing trick. Buying products from Toronto and surrounding areas makes a difference! It supports green values and the environment in more than one way. Every community should be more self reliant, not just Toronto.

Go Local, Go to the Market

Each community is unique and offers something that cannot be found anywhere else. This makes us special, attracts tourist and people from the local community to taste and feel our local Toronto community. It makes us feel like we belong and have something different to offer the world. If the stores, products, organizations and people are local they truly have a vested interest in you and your community. This passion is something that only a local partisan can offer. It provides quality and protects those icons you are used to seeing. Think about the outcry when a local business shuts down.

But there is more…not only is there a sense of community, but there are traditions and traditional cuisines that simply vanish if we globalize too much. Remember the butter tart. Try to find one now, it’s often very hard. Sometimes those things we used to have disappear completely, just like wildlife, land and safe environments.

Think of Cheers – everyone knows your name. Doesn’t that feel good. It’s true, but that money stays in your community. It circulates in many ways and reduces other impacts that we pretend are not in our control. Things like pollution. But there’s more than the carbon impact from a huge reduction in transport, distribution and packaging. Our Toronto community becomes less congested. That local walk keeps us healthy and in touch. The local owners and people in Toronto are more likely to support local charities and keep the pulse of our local Toronto community alive. Those local owners and future owners are also the one that create thriving economy, competition, innovation and therefore choice, giving us something to be proud of. They are the heartbeat…and we all know that we need to keep the heart ticking. Let’s keep Toronto ticking.

So apart from the reduced transport and obvious carbon impact, think about the distinct environment. Once it is gone it is gone forever. Global land loss is huge – all in the name of progress. It can’t be returned. The economy of purchasing something seems cheaper but in the long run because it isn’t sustainable the costs will be paid for in the future. Those fresh foods if we can’t grow them ourselves, may not be so easy to obtain down the road. Fresh food is something that gives us the vitamins and macrobiotic that our bodies require. Wildlife eats certain foods at certain times of year because they require it…we should take the hint.

So before you buy something take a look at the label and think of the impact. Vote with your dollars not your pocket book. The payoff will save you in the future. Toronto needs you. Our communities need you. The world needs you. Be local, not loco.

if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones!

• going loco or going local: 15 reasons that count
• Toronto: A Thriving Green Community
• what is community
• what is a locavore
• Toronto Garbage Strike – What A Waste!