Buying Locally

I recently read "Fast Food Nation" (I know, I'm behind the times) and I had an epiphany. I am trying to stop buying from Fast Food companies and other large corporations that offer a low price at the expense of our health and the welfare of their employees. I am now trying to do most of my shopping locally!

This is easy with things like produce. I live in Southern California where there's a farmers market somewhere every single day with amazing, fresh, local produce; but there are other items that are such a habit, they are harder to change.

I usually use Ralphs Supermarket to cater my lunches at Real Estate Offices. (for those of you, not familiar with Ralphs, it's like a Safeway Store such as Von's, Pavilions, Jewel-Osco, etc.) I recently decided to cater from a nearby family bakery called Porto's. They have 2 locations in So-Cal and are opening another. Not only was the price comparable but everybody at the presentation I gave was raving about how wonderful everything was AND I felt great because I had put my dollars back into our local economy!

I have now started searching for other local places to cater and found that many small restaurants will do this for a great price. I plan on using my local Thai place for catering next week!

Here's a link to the Wikipedia Page for Fast Food Nation (A superbly written call-to-action by Eric Schlosser)

Here's a link to Porto's Bakery (If you live in LA and you have never been there, I suggest that you give it a try. You WON'T be disappointed!)

I spend this money every week out of my marketing budget to bring breakfast, lunch, etc. to real estate offices and now I am doing my job while still supporting my local economy!