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Purchase Locally
What we buy and where we buy it can make a significant difference in our environmental impact.
The first potential moral benefit is environmental: Bringing goods from afar generally requires using more energy than transporting goods locally, and some environmental advocates see this as a serious environmental threat. Of course, locally produced goods are not always more energy-efficient; local agriculture or manufacturing may rely on heavy inputs or energy-inefficient machinery and/or transportation systems.
The second potential benefit is creating better working conditions. However, diverting purchasing from developing countries to local farmers can lead to worse conditions for poor farmers in developing countries because it removes potential buyers from the market
Cafes, restaurants and other businesses selling locally-produced food and products stand to benefit from Tasman residents buying and sourcing food and goods close to home.
Buy local in-season food
Sixty per cent of the carbon footprint of food comes from its long distance transport. You will also be helping to support our local producers. Even better, grow your own and change from food-miles to food-feet.
Buy locally-made high-quality goods
These products will last longer than cheap imported ones that are made for the landfill. Try to avoid over-packaged goods.
Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets have doubled in NZ in the last two years. Excellent resources to find out where your 'local' is, or help set one up in your town!