Why Buy Local?

We’ve all seen the “Buy Local” signs popping up in stores around our towns, and most of us have a sense that it would be good to follow their advice. But do we really understand how crucial of a difference our buying habits can make? We know it can help our communities, but by how much? And is buying locally really a key factor in helping the environment and the world as a whole?

These questions and others are explored in the infographic below, and you’ll find some startling answers. For example, did you know that a carrot typically travels 1,838 miles to become a part of a family’s meal? This not only means that your veggies aren’t very fresh, but also that all those miles are contributing to fuel wastage, environmental degradation, and a buildup of packaging products in landfills. You wouldn’t get any of these problems if you bought your carrots at the local farmer’s market.

In order to show the cumulative effects of these issues, the infographic visualizes a trip from the shipping yards and landfills far from our communities to the interactions of small businesses within a single community. Through this journey, you can see that it’s in the small choices, like buying from your local bookstore instead of a national chain, that you can make a big impact. With these changes, you can improve the economic health of your community and the environmental health of the world.

CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW

Infographic Created by eLocal.com

Embed the smaller version (616px wide):

(Click to enlarge) <a href="http://www.elocal.com/infographics/why-buy-local.html"><img src="http://www.elocalwebsites.com/externalAssets/Blogs/WhyBuyLocalSmall.jpg" alt="Why Buy Local Infographic" /></a> Source: <a href="http://www.elocal.com">eLocal.com</a> via <a href="http://www.care2.com">care2.com</a>

Embed the larger version (935px wide):

<a href="http://www.elocal.com/infographics/why-buy-local.html"><img src="http://www.elocalwebsites.com/externalAssets/Blogs/WhyBuyLocal.jpg" alt="Why Buy Local Infographic" /></a> Source: <a href="http://www.elocal.com">eLocal.com</a> via <a href="http://www.care2.com">care2.com</a>

Top Photo Credit: Ambro

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

jessica w.

9:31AM PST on Nov 21, 2011

thanks

November 21
send a green star

Youssef A.

12:49PM PDT on Sep 6, 2011

"Do not Corrupt the earth..." (Quran 7:56)

September 6
send a green star

Thomas W.

3:49AM PDT on Aug 15, 2011

August 15
send a green star

David N.

8:35AM PDT on Aug 14, 2011

Thanks for the article.

August 14
send a green star

Bob P.

6:13AM PDT on Aug 14, 2011

d b.

1:07AM PDT on Aug 14, 2011

noted

11:23AM PDT on Aug 13, 2011

Buying local produce means fresher produce and is more environmentally friendly.

August 13
send a green star

Malgorzata Z.

10:45AM PDT on Aug 13, 2011

Zawsze kupuję lokalne artykuły.

12:43AM PDT on Aug 13, 2011

Dave L.

8:45AM PDT on Aug 11, 2011

Great article. Be sure you know where your produce stands are getting their produce. Know what's in season in your part of the country when you shop. Agree with the comment that encouraged some library reading. . .there are great books available. . .and start your own plot if at all possible.