Why Live Local?
EAT LOCAL: 7 Reasons
"To plant a garden is to believe in the future."
Eating local requires having an adequate supply of locally grown food. Currently the Milwaukee region faces a shortage of local farms and land for growing food. We all can help by planting gardens and supporting regional agriculture, including city farming.
BUY LOCAL
Studies show that money spent at local independent businesses is 2 to 3 times more likely to stay in the local economy, and it stays longer, creating a "multiplier effect" for every dollar spent locally.
Local businesses are also more accountable to their communities socially and environmentally, and provide a more stable source of jobs over the long term.
LOCAL ENERGY
The less energy we use, the less we must import. Thus conservation and support for renewable energy result in greater energy independence for our region.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
Living local also means moving away from the "car culture," and supporting more human-scale communities. Walking, biking, ridesharing, and public transit are also great ways of reducing pollution and decreasing carbon emissions.
LOCAL CULTURE
Whereas mass media reinforces patterns of consumption and "homogenizes" our culture, local arts, entertainment, and regional tourism help retain the unique character of our communities and help us feel more connected.
- Keeps money in the local economy.
- Locally grown produce is fresher.
- Locally grown fruits and vegetables can be grown for flavor, rather than ability to be shipped.
- Less distance from farm to plate means less pollution.
- Buying local food keeps us in touch with the seasons.
- Local food translates into more variety.
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Supports responsible land use, including the preservation of farm land.
"To plant a garden is to believe in the future."
Eating local requires having an adequate supply of locally grown food. Currently the Milwaukee region faces a shortage of local farms and land for growing food. We all can help by planting gardens and supporting regional agriculture, including city farming.
BUY LOCAL
Studies show that money spent at local independent businesses is 2 to 3 times more likely to stay in the local economy, and it stays longer, creating a "multiplier effect" for every dollar spent locally.
Local businesses are also more accountable to their communities socially and environmentally, and provide a more stable source of jobs over the long term.
LOCAL ENERGY
The less energy we use, the less we must import. Thus conservation and support for renewable energy result in greater energy independence for our region.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
Living local also means moving away from the "car culture," and supporting more human-scale communities. Walking, biking, ridesharing, and public transit are also great ways of reducing pollution and decreasing carbon emissions.
LOCAL CULTURE
Whereas mass media reinforces patterns of consumption and "homogenizes" our culture, local arts, entertainment, and regional tourism help retain the unique character of our communities and help us feel more connected.
To the extent that we meet our needs locally and contribute to the local community, we:
- insure that local businesses & farms thrive
- keep jobs in the region
- preserve the unique character of our neighborhoods & communities
- decrease unnecessary travel and transportation of goods
- support local arts & culture
- get to know our neighbors more and feel more connected to our communities
- decrease our carbon footprint
