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For those who celebrate gift- and feast-oriented holidays this season, dealing with crowds, waiting in lines, credit card (ab)use, last minute scrambling and—of course—stress are all inevitable. The temptation of modern convenience is compelling—to simply go online, log onto Amazon or some other corporate multinational retailer, buy a load of stuff made in China, and have it delivered to your door. But there's another way to purchase through the holiday season outside of malls and big-box stores—going radically local.
Local First Chicago represents a consortium of home-grown entrepreneurship and talent. Their web site organizes member businesses by location and type, and can help shoppers find local alternatives in their neighborhoods. According to their
web site, “locally owned, independent businesses put seventy percent more money back into the local community than chain stores.” Plus, keeping your local business in business helps the whole community—local busnesses contribute 350% more to nonprofits and charities than chain stores.
The small businesses you may drive or walk past every day are often frequently overlooked by holiday shoppers—hence less stress! In today’s economy, it’s crucial that we support our local artists, artisans, and owners who keep our main streets bright and beautiful.
You can download a copy of the Local First Holiday Shopping Guide on their website, at localfirstchicago.org. Now to the events of December.
Green City Farmers Market
Wednesdays and Saturdays, December 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 8 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Chef demonstrations at 10:30 a.m.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Every market has a distinctive character. Green City is the venerated matriarch of Chicagoland markets. Vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, maple syrup, cheese, preserves, oats, winter wheat, black beans, baked goods, cider, and freshly prepared foods ready to eat are offered by local, sustainable family farms. Green City, now in its eleventh year of operation, is famous for its rigorous standards, merchandise quality and variety. Vendors must prove their worthiness through an extensive vetting process. The care put into the production of this market and its wares make it much
