Buy Local

Buy Local

WORDS VICKI RAVLICH-HORAN

Buy local—it’s far from a new concept, yet the slogan has suddenly gained new importance. What does support local actually mean and what difference does it really make?

After seven weeks locked in our little bubbles, many of us burst out and headed straight to our local cafe for a coffee or perhaps it was to the hairdresser to tame those locks. We didn’t do this because sudden world events or the time we had to reflect on our economy and community had changed our habits. We did this because this is where we normally go for coffee or a haircut. So what about that trip to Bunnings to get the last pail of fence paint you needed to finish your lockdown project—is that shopping local? Bunnings is an Australian company but it employs locals. Does the equation change if the paint you buy is New Zealand made? Would you even check? Buy local may be a simple slogan, but in reality it is anything but. At the core of the concept is that you as the consumer have immense power every time you spend money. But with power comes responsibility and consequences. Josie Evans from Excelso Coffee in Tauranga says, “The basic idea behind supporting local businesses really ties into the idea of a circular economy. When you support a local business, you help keep the money within your region.” Josie admits, much like consumers, for business owners “choosing local is sometimes not as cost effective. Making sure we “do the right” thing in supporting local and ensuring our company is still profitable is a balancing act”. In weighing up these pros and cons, local businesses need to consider what they are asking of their community. Is that local cafe shouting “support local” but then serving you bacon made from American pork, eggs from Masterton and coffee roasted in Christchurch really walking the talk? If they favoured local suppliers they not only support local themselves they are helping you to too. Plus, more of that local money keeps circulating in our region. Excelso are a great example of the dilemma many businesses face. Coffee isn’t grown in Tauranga or New Zealand, nor the coffee equipment they need. This is why supporting local businesses in every other aspect of their business is important. The number of

products and services each If you break the business uses adds up. For Excelso this includes chain instead office supplies, printing, signage, stamp making as of money going around, it heads out of town. well as products they sell like ceramics and chocolate. “Knowing the people behind the companies are local and maintaining relationships locally is important to us,” says Josie. The creation of relationships is a key part of the buy local ethos. While studies try to calculate the economic benefits of the money staying in the local economy, it is hard to calculate the intangible benefits. One visit to the Tauranga Farmers Market on a Saturday morning and you will witness the banter, laughter and joy of having a connection between customer and vendor. The local growers at the farmers market are a good example of the importance of local beyond the economy and community. In times of crisis it’s the essentials like food that become a priority. Relying on this via complicated supply chains leaves us vulnerable. Locally owned and operated businesses are what give towns their distinct character, it’s what distinguishes the uniqueness of our community. It’s these businesses that have a vested interest in the region, who give back to everything, from local charities to sports groups. Josie is quick to point out some great local businesses that have built supporting local into their models, well before it was the go-to hashtag. “Drift Cafe in Matata are amazing. They have been selling locally made goods and produce through their store for a long time and recently started running a small market to help other local businesses. Wild Earth Organics are one to watch, not only do they focus on finding products and produce grown as local as possible, they also work hard to make sure that they are organic and sustainable. Tay Street Store are an awesome example for promoting and supporting other local suppliers. Their store is chock-full of beautifully made goods from a huge variety of local businesses. We also really love Vitality Organics’ approach! They use locally made goods as much as possible and have even started to create their own products where there are gaps in the local marketplace.” As we rebuild our economy, we have a chance to rebuild our communities. Supporting local will help us build a resilient economy as well as a resilient community. But to do this it requires everyone to play their part, individuals and businesses alike.