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Living Better Locally


Melissa Webster

October 21, 2009

Too often, the latest "in" thing is something stupid, or even deadly: 5-inch platform shoes, reality TV shows, texting while driving.

But one of the strongest national trends of late is also something really good: Choosing to live locally. The local movement is a logical reaction to the corporatization of America of the 1980s and '90s—a bad movement that resulted in cookie-cutter suburbs and strip malls, where food all tastes the same, the shopkeepers don't know your name, and the profits leave the community.

Today's local movement is about much more than shopping local, although that's important, too. It's also about spending local. Giving local. Eating local. Even figuring out how to move around in a more sustainable, fun, healthy way.

Each of us has the power to make our city, and thus, our metro area, stronger with nearly every decision we make. We can live as "locavores" every day simply by deciding to spend local first, choosing to shop when possible in the city limits and picking charities to help where we can see immediate results of our efforts.

This GOOD issue is filled with ideas, and reasons, for living better locally. Please go to http://jacksonfreepress.com and http://www.jackpedia.com to add your own.

Local first. Always.

Every Bit Counts
Giving Every Little Bit
A Food Revolution
Leave Your Leftovers for the Gleaners
Alt.Shop

 
posted by on 10/21/09 at 01:57 PM. [printer version]    Share |

COMMENTS

 

I enjoyed this article. But just remember that shopping locally can apply to the suburbs too. I live in Madison, so that is where I shop. Restaurants like Frisco Deli and stores like The Inside Story should be supported just like the businesses in Jackson.

posted by traceyw on 10/22/09 at 08:20 AM

Tracey, pieces in the GOOD issue promote locally owned businesses in the bedroom communities, including the ShopKeep about Symbiotic in Ridgeland.

However, everyone -- including suburbanites -- need to support more businesses in Jackson proper because our strength helps the whole area that feeds off of us.

The best approach is choosing a good menu of locally owned businesses and avoiding national big-box anywhere. And when you do go to big-box, do it in Jackson so the sales taxes can help make up for what the Legislature won't do for the city it and so many state agencies (and nonprofits serving the state) operate in.

In other words, shop local and Jackson first.

posted by ladd on 10/22/09 at 09:42 AM

All, be sure to flip through the entire GOOD issue -- the graphics are very cool!

posted by ladd on 10/22/09 at 10:25 AM

Also, all, go to Jackpedia and post your Local Pledge and/or your LocalList, and you might win a gift certificate on Nov. 1!

And businesses, nonprofits and individuals, make sure you have your own page over there -- it's great Google placement, among other advantages. ;-)

Go now, and talk about your thing:

http://www.jackpedia.com

It's our very own local Wikipedia.

posted by ladd on 10/22/09 at 10:29 AM

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