7 Reasons for Shopping Local in Texas

One of the joys of operating TexasRealFood is connecting with people who’ve decided to follow their dream of creating something that is as unique as they are. Please note: I’m using that word intentionally. Theirs is the work of creation, of making something from nothing. Whether they’ve taken a piece of land and produced row after row of delicious sweet corn or perfected their family recipe for kolaches, that creation is equal parts purpose and passion. It isn’t just a product being created, but opportunity, legacy, and a way of life.

That sentiment alone should compel us to support the local businesses in our communities, but I know all too well how easily we can exchange the good reasons for what might seem like better ones. Allow me just a moment to dispel two of the reasons we might frequent big-box retailers:

• It’s more convenient – But is it really? When we think about it, apps and two-day shipping can’t really compete with face-to-face interactions that happen in the moment.

• It’s cheaper – Are you sure about that? Because price, we have to remember, is not the same thing as cost. Just because a chicken breast is ninety-nine cents a pound doesn’t mean that’s its actual value (thanks to government subsidies).

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s highlight 7 Reasons for Shopping Local in Texas:

1. Relationships
   I’ll cut to the chase: we aren’t as connected as we used to be and that has hurt us in more ways than one. We are communal creatures and we need one another. While we might be able to order everything online we need to survive, none of that will allow us to thrive. Relationships are the stuff of a full life. They’re built over cuts of meat at your neighborhood butcher and in that new tamale shop that’s hoping and praying customers actually show up. Get to know your local business owners.

2. Personalization
   Somewhere along the way, life began to shift dangerously in the direction of one-size-fits-all. Much of our food supply fell victim to mass production and industrialization. Some of that was sold to us as modernity – the wave of the future. In that kind of environment, quality, attention to detail, and personalization tend to get left behind. In contrast, your local farmer, beekeeper, pastry chef, and brewer all center their work around what you want, need and are asking for. In other words, it’s personal – to them and you.

3. Health
   What’s the first step to strong, sustainable health? It’s knowing what’s in your food. Pre-packaged, preservative-heavy, and pesticide-rich foods erode your body’s natural defenses by weakening your immune system and the lining of your gut. Like all the food entrepreneurs that are a part of the TexasRealFood community, we believe all-natural food not only sustains human life but is good for the planet too. No one is doing this better than your local farmers and the businesses they supply.

4. Economic Impact
   We vote every day with our dollars. Knowing this, the most effective way of encouraging small businesses to thrive in Texas is by supporting them financially. No matter what part of the state you live in, you have the ability to make sure your money stays local by deciding where you shop. Statistically, for every $100 spent locally, $68 stays in your community – compared to $43 when you spend the same amount in a national chain.

5. Quality
   We’re more concerned than ever with what we’re feeding our families. From seasonal, fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmers market to the perfectly grilled filet sourced from a nearby ranch, Texas communities provide the kind of quality that can’t be shipped or stocked on a big-box retail shelf. There’s only one way to know where your food comes from, and that’s to know who grew it, raised it, or made it.

6. Diversity
   Shopping local is the easiest way to avoid the monochromatic foodscape I mentioned earlier. From the spices and flavors that are unique to our state to the traditions and way of life that can only be found in Texas, your tastebuds will come alive when you buy locally. Instead of settling for the same entree you could purchase in any city in the country, give yourself the gift of a new recipe, a late-night grill you haven’t tried yet, or a spot that’s outside of your comfort zone.

7. Pride
   Whether you’re in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, or any point in between, that’s the place you call home. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been there all of your life or you’re a transplant from somewhere else – Texas welcomes you with open arms. Finding locally-owned restaurants, bars, farms, ranches, and the like to support shows a sense of ownership and pride in where you live.

So there you have it! Seven reasons to shop local in Texas. If you’re looking for a place to start, our directory is the best place to discover options all across the Lone Star State.