Local shopping can be a reliable crutch for easing the limp of economic uncertainty in your community. When you shop locally, the majority of money you spend stays within the community. This benefits everyone in numerous ways instead of only helping a large financial sector.

New Economics Foundation researcher David Boyle discovered many local economies struggle not for lack of funds, but as a result of what happens to the money when it comes in. “Money is like blood,” he said. “It needs to keep moving around to keep the economy going.” When money is spent elsewhere – in online stores, national supermarket chains, non-locally owned utility companies – “it flows out, like a wound.” Purchasing from local businesses also adds variety by preventing your town from becoming a clone town, or a town that is mass-produced and stripped of its unique culture.

Buying local also speeds up the circulation of money in your community; up to three times faster in some communities. This means that your community can benefit three times more in the same amount of time. Experts say when cash circulation speed slows it is generally a result of money being diverted to financial sectors like Wall Street, instead of local economies.

If you are considering going local, here are five of the best resources to get you started.

Farmigo: Farmigo is an easy platform that links local farmers, producers, fishermen and most importantly fresh locally grown food with consumers. Type in your ZIP code and Farmigo will display a list of farms, farmers markets, producers and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) options in your neighborhood. Organization is a major benefit of the site, which places all of the food options of a given area into categories.

Local Dirt: Local Dirt not only connects buyers and sellers, but offers farmers markets and individual vendors the option of creating a profile page to promote their products. When customers search by ZIP code, profile pages for their area are listed; the option to preorder items is also given.

Eat Well Guide: This platform works by keyword, ZIP code or by entering your city and state. Eat Well categorizes local food items by specialty – bakers, CSA’s, personal chefs, restaurants — and lists whether options are organically grown. 

Foodzie: The main goal of Foodzie’s online marketplace is to help the circle of small local and national food producers grow. Foodzie specializes in gourmet goodies; their answer to the proverbial sweet tooth is The Tasting Box, which opens the door to six delicious samples a month of your choosing for a monthly fee.

Local Harvest: This platform is by far the largest and most comprehensive of the bunch. Local Harvest is a great resource for individuals and communities seeking more sustainable lifestyles through a partnership with mom and pop local farms and goods.

Do you buy local food?

-Li St. Michael

More Local Food from HalogenTV.com:

1. 6 Tips for Eating Local & Organic Foods on a Budget
2. Urban Farms Connect Nature and Values
3. Eating Organic on a Budget