Buying local - when $1 equals $14 for our community

Watching the Central Coast's own Julie win MasterChef this week, I've been struck by the huge amount of support our local community is giving here।
We've been running a competition in store to guess the winner of the Masterchef competition, and the response has been phenomenal।
Even when there were six finalists to choose from, about 90% of our customers are voting for Julie, because she's local!
I think all this local support is great and helps bring together the local community.
We've been struck by the tremendous support we have always received since we opened in East Gosford three years ago.
This is the same week when the supermarkets started a petrol discount war and declared they were bringing grocery prices down! Supermarkets are the opposite of local - they usually sell not local products and support no local producers. They are rarely able to take action that supports local causes or local events.
I've been a passionate advocate of supporting local business, local suppliers and local producers for a long time now. Clearly as a local Central Coast owned family business - store and cafe - and a producer of our own label of locally made gourmet foods, it's in my interests - but I also believe that it is good for the community.
We are also genuinely grateful for the support we get from our local loyal customers.
We have always envisaged our business as being a champion of local producers, a supporter and buyer of local products, and a passionate supporter of the vibrant local community.
I'm not advocating a radical form of localism where you only use things made within 100km - for example, I love my coffee too much and there's not grown here on the Coast. But there are local businesses supplying coffee and that's the kind of practical support I mean.
As well, in these uncertain times, it feels really nice to support local things! No matter what happen, the people and places that are close and familiar are always going to be there for you.
And, there is some fascinating research starting to to surface which says that supporting your local businesses and producers is not only a good idea for them but it's good for you, your family and your local community.
I came across a study which was headed When $1 equals $14: Reasons to Buy (and Refer) Local. The study which was based on retail and buying patterns demonstrated that locally owned businesses generate 3.5 times the local economic activity as chains.
So, when does $1 equal $14? When you spend it with a locally owned business. That dollar is usually spent 6 to 15 times before it leaves the community.
The research also showed that independent small businesses are also more likely to:

• spend money with other local businesses
• make decisions locally with customers first and foremost in mind
• place importance on community service and promoting goodwill
• have a commitment to a clean safe community

Need more reasons to buy local: here's five more!

1. Support your family - studies show that when you buy from a locally owned business up to three times more of your dollars are re-circulated in the local economy compared to a big national business or a chain. At Taste Gourmet Grocer and Cafe, we buy as much as possible from small, locally owned independent suppliers (like us).
2. Support your community. Local non profit organizations receive 250% more support from locally owned businesses. At Taste Gourmet, we've been supporting local community organisations since we opened: local schools, service clubs, pre-schools, sporting teams and cultural organisations.
3. Create more local jobs. Locally owned businesses spend on average 28% of revenue on labour, compared with 23% for the chains, providing the most jobs to local residents. At Taste, we value our staff, we employ and train local people who are also proud to be part of our local community.
4. Get better service. Locally owned businesses often hire people better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers. At Taste, our staff are committed to giving you the best customer service, they'll get to know you and look after you!
5. Buy what you want, not what they want to sell you. As a small business, we select products based not on a national sales plan, but on the needs of our local customers. At Taste Gourmet, we present our customers with the best value for their money, and the products you want and need. We also make our own local products and stock and promote other local gourmet food producers.

Remember, you hold the key to the economic stimulus!
These days as we get more and more concerned about how we spend our hard earned dollars. Next time you shop, consider the benefits of choosing a locally owned business. And when referring friends and colleagues, refer a reputable local business and keep their dollars local too.
After all, it's you money and your community! Make it count! KEEP IT LOCAL!