By Martha Perkins
Vancouverites pride themselves on being willing to spend a bit more for locally sourced, high-quality food. They appreciate the sense of connection, knowing that their actions are helping to ensure the sustainability of British Columbias food sources.
If people took that same approach to shopping, aligning their values with their choices on where they spend their retail dollars, Vancouvers economy would be given a huge boost, says Maureen Cureton, community investment portfolio manager with Vancity.
Lets make the experience of shopping about connection with our neighbours and community, she says.
She knows that, given the inherently high price we pay for living in such a temperate climate, most people also have to be keeping an eye out for the best prices. But just a small change in our spending habits can make a big difference: a one per cent shift towards local businesses would create 3,100 jobs and $94 million in wages. That money gets re-circulated in our communities and helps to fund the activities we love.
Give a gift that has a story behind it who made it and how it was made, Cureton suggests.
