Saratoga County shoppers urged to buy locally

PHOTOGRAPHER: Tatiana Zarnowski

Consumers can expect to see a push for buying local products this year when they do their holiday shopping as local businesses will be putting up posters and window decals in their stores and service businesses.

It’s all part of the “Think Local! Buy Local!” campaign by the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County, which was officially kicked off in December and is ramping up now with promotional materials available and a map that shows local businesses in the area.

“We realize that for a lot of our retailers, their biggest competitor is the Internet,” said Denise Romeo, vice president of membership development for the chamber. “We’re trying to change the mind-set, even if it’s one person at a time, to the importance of thinking, buying local.”

Chamber members are encouraged to take part by displaying the materials. The map is available at www.thinkandbuylocal.com; paper maps can be picked up at the chamber office.

“The feedback we’ve received from the membership has been nothing but positive,” Romeo said.

The theme has spilled over into the fall business showcase, slated for Nov. 4 at the Southern Saratoga YMCA with more than 75 exhibitors. The Think Local! Buy Local! Showcase takes place from 4 to 7 p.m.

The “buy local” movement has picked up locally in recent years.

Capital District Local First started three years ago with small business members. It has a fall Buy Local Bash scheduled for Oct. 29 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Atrium in Troy.

A group called Sustainable Saratoga has explored ways to make the Saratoga Springs community more sustainable.

The website, www.madeinthecapitalregion.com, highlights local manufacturers. It was unveiled about a year ago as a way to increase sales and create and retain jobs.

The food industry has pushed the “buy local” idea as a way to avoid food contamination and pesticides, and to promote healthier farms. Consumers buy in by patronizing farmer’s markets, and farmers contribute, too. Locally, King Brothers Dairy of Northumberland has resumed home milk delivery.

Reach Gazette reporter Tatiana Zarno