Co-op Encourages Local Buying
Buy Local First
by Kristina Walsh
You
may have heard the slogan “Buy Local First.” Communities all over the
United States are encouraging shoppers to consider local options when
making purchases. First Alternative Natural Foods Co-op in Corvallis,
Oregon makes it easy for customers to buy local.
Corvallis
is rich in resources. Nearby farms provide fresh produce, berries,
nuts, and other goods. Many items are sold at the Co-op, but people
weren’t always buying. Donna Tarasawa, Marketing Manager at the Co-op
says, “When we first started the program the percentage of local
products we sold was about 16%.”
The program she speaks of is called “Local 6.” Local 6, which began in 2006, is a campaign that encourages folks to buy items that are made, produced, or grown within Benton County and its five nearby counties. Since the program began, the Co-op has seen growth in sales of local products. “We are now edging on 30%,” says Tarasawa.
Not
only does the Co-op stock many local items, but it labels them as
local. That way, customers can easily identify local products and make
choices based on that. Tarasawa says this in itself is not unusual.
“Many other co-ops clearly define and identify their local products.”
However, “I am not aware of any others that have expanded their program
to include restaurants in their city, which we have been able to do in
Corvallis. There may be some, but I do not know who they are.”
