The average Ontario shopper intends to spend almost $700 on holiday gifting this year. If just $70 or 10% of this was spent on edible gifts crafted from Ontario artisan producers, the economic impact would equate to $500 million extra dollars in our Ontario food system, supporting up to 10,000 food sector jobs.
We all want to buy well during the holidays. It’s the season for giving, sharing, and emphasizing our values, traditions, and priorities. It’s the time of year we volunteer to help those less fortunate, to give generously to charity, and to help our neighbours. The season brings out the best in us, and we relish in the little acts that show we care.
One little act to show you care is to buy local. Make this season a time to show your family and friends you are a conscious consumer by feasting on local foods and by giving gifts that are made in Ontario. Not only are you supporting your own community, but the gifts you give can influence those around you in a positive way.
Make this holiday season a Made in Ontario holiday! You can buy a Made in Ontario gift basket from a shop that carries local food items (see our listing of local food shops in the November issue), create a gift basket yourself with local ingredients found in the new Ontario Pantry ebook, or buy a gift certificate from a farm that can be used in the summer.
Don’t get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Instead, take control and take a stand. Buy local! Let’s make this a Made in Ontario holiday!
NOW LET’S GO ONE STEP FURTHER!
Buy, Eat, Drink, and Think Local This Holiday Season
LOCAL FOOD
Buy local wherever you can.
If you can’t buy local, buy organic.
If you can’t buy organic, buy fair trade.
LOCAL PRODUCTS
Buy Ontario products whenever you can.
If you can’t buy Ontario products, buy from a local retailer.
If you can’t buy from a local retailer, buy Canadian.
Buying, eating, drinking, and thinking local is about keeping our money circulating in our community where we all prosper. This holiday season, give back to yourself and your community by becoming a conscious consumer. It’s a great gift!
Take the $10 Challenge year round and the Made in Ontario Challenge every holiday!
SHOUT IT OUT! If you want The Shop Local, Ontario Table Holiday Challenge icon for your website and you don’t know how to take it from this blog, email me at ogryzlo@sympatico.ca and I’ll send it to you. Let me know if you want a jpeg or pdf.