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Create a Purchasing Ladder to Help You Support Local Businesses

As we discussed in our piece on why supporting locally owned businesses is important, it’s easier to support independent businesses if you create your own Purchasing Ladder to help guide your purchasing decisions, as Michael Shuman shares in his book: The Small-Mart Revolution.

So how do you create your own Purchasing Ladder? First, decide what is important to you – you might consider local, green, fair trade, labor practices, organic or ethics. Then do a little research to find the products that fit your purchasing ladder. Here are some resources to help you get started:

·      Local First Chicago Local Business Directory  

·      Green America Responsible Shopper

·      Fair Trade Federation

·      Chicago Fair Trade

·      Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition

·      American Booksellers Association

If you are unsure, search on-line and take a look at the company’s website. Most businesses that are family-owned or green or fair trade will proudly talk about it on their site.

So pick a few categories of purchases that you can align with your values and use your dollars to vote for the future you want for your community.

Suzanne Keers is co-founder & executive director of Local First Chicago, a non-profit organization which works to educate the community and policy makers on the benefits of locally owned businesses. It’s vision for Chicago is a city that is local, fair and green.