7 Reasons to Support Local

When you think about getting the most out of your money, you might think about long-term investments – things such as high-yield accounts, real estate investments, RRSP’s and so forth.

And as you might imagine, these are all great options for the money you want to keep, but how do you get a return on investment for the money that you spend?

The answer is simple – shop local.

The Value of Shopping Local

When you shop and support local, you’re making a personal investment in your neighborhood and community.  In fact, for every $100 spent, roughly $68 to $73 of it returns to local activity.

Money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as our region’s tax base.

Whether you realize it or not, when you shop local you are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and in turn, helping shape your community’s unique character and personality.

Rewarding Reasons Why You Should Shop Local

“Improving the local economy” captures most of the headlines when discussing the idea of shopping local, but honestly, there are a lot more great reasons to make it a conscious consideration. Here are just a few examples that we have come up with.

1. Receive that personal touch

Because the employees are likely personally invested in the products or services they are selling, they are more likely to go that extra mile for their customers when it comes to providing product/service descriptions, uses, backstories, and customer service.

Crowds also play a factor.

Less crowds and a more personalized shopping experience provide more opportunities for customer service to take shape. In addition, local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise, giving them the ability to “storytell” their brand when educating potential customers. We love when you drop by the farm store. We are always ready to serve our customers and help out in any way that we can!

2. Creates more jobs for the locals

Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally. In fact, since the 1970s, more than 65% of new jobs have come from the rise in small businesses.

Not only do small businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue, but they’re also the customers of local businesses themselves.

3. Shorter lines means shorter wait times

Shorter, and more infrequent, lines mean less stress and hassle when it comes to getting what you need from the business. We’re all busy with lots to do, so saving time when purchasing your groceries can add up to alot of saved minutes/hours throughout the course of a year.

4. Reduces environmental impact

Transportation is a big reason why. Because local businesses make more local purchases, less transportation is required. In turn, you’re contributing less to pollution, traffic congestion, habitat loss, and resource depletion. 

5. Non-profits can receive more support

Local business owners provide significant support for non-profits. In fact, non-profits receive as much as 350% more money from local shops than non-locally owned businesses. Shopping local means supporting local!

6. Puts tax dollars to good use

In addition to generating more tax revenue per sales dollar, taxes paid by small, local businesses are widely used to support schools, parks, roads, and other local programs that benefit your friends, family, and community.

7. Unique and exclusive products

Two words…small batch.

Often times the production of small-batch products involves the use of techniques, processes, and/or ingredients that might not be seen as “cost-efficient” in mass production. When you shop at local businesses, you’re likely getting something that’s unique and exclusive.

As you can see, shopping locally invests in the local community, and reduces environmental impact. At Hilltop Acres Poultry we support as many local businesses and organizations as we can.

We look forward to having you stop by our Farm Store.