The Oregon Hispanic Business Association has launched a statewide “Shop Local” campaign to encourage consumers to support local businesses.
Support Your Local Economy
Consumers are looking for smart ways to stretch their budgets this year with inflation rates reaching 9%. Costs are soaring for basics like food, rent, utilities, and gasoline.
Shopping local is one savvy strategy to shop smart, save money, and create a stronger community.
Shopping at locally-owned, independent businesses like farmer’s markets, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops supports the local economy. These businesses in return, hire local staff and support services like accountants, insurance brokers, builders and maintenance companies, and purchase goods from other local businesses.
Shopping at nearby businesses also saves on fuel costs. With Oregon’s gas prices hovering around $5 per gallon, many people are looking for ways to spend less at the pump.
Local Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s Markets are a great resource to find affordable, tasty, & nutritious food for your family. Most Farmers Markets are open from April through October, but many also operate during the winter. Some markets accept nutritional programs like EBT/SNAP and WIC. You can find a local market in your neighborhood, by visiting the Oregon Farmer’s Market Association website here.
These markets are a great place to enjoy family-friendly entertainment like live music, crafts, kids’ activities, and hot food vendors.
One example is the Mercado Del Valle in Odell, Oregon – which describes itself as “more than a farmer’s market imagine the mariachi band, children dancing traditional Baile Folklorico, hand-made tamales, elote, (corn on the cob, Mexican style), a bike-powered smoothie maker, and bins of colorful peppers and tomatillos. Stop by and see what this market is all about!”
Shop Local Saturday
Since 2011, American Express has sponsored a nationwide Shop Local Saturday the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Shoppers are invited to kick off their holiday shopping at local retailers. There are many events and activities planned around Shop Local Saturday. To help businesses recover from the pandemic this event has expanded to Shop Small Saturday throughout the summer. To find local participating businesses or to include your business on a local “Shop Small” map, visit this website to find out more.
Tap Into Your Local Chamber of Commerce
New to town or looking for a new business to support? You can contact your local chamber of commerce to find out more about businesses in your area. For a directory of Chambers of Commerce in Oregon click here and type in the name of your town.