Dressing yourself (or your dog, or your water bottle!) in local products displays a love of good food and community. It’s also a powerful way for your favorite companies to advertise their brand to the people you work with, live with and walk by on a regular basis. So grab more than a bunch of carrots next time you head to your favorite market! You’ll not only look cool for shopping small, but you’ll be helping out a local business while doing so.
Check out some of our suggestions to get started:
Sip with Social Sloth Cafe
Next time you find yourself at Okemos favorite Social Sloth Cafe ordering a Kisir salad, add a mug to go! This family-owned small business has tote bags and tees featured in multiple colors with prices for merchandise ranging from $10 to $21, with more selection, including aprons and stickers, during the holiday season. Stop in person to see the range of options (and make sure to order some mezze while you’re at it!)
Shop with the Congregation
The Congregation, housed in a historic church in Detroit’s Boston Edison neighborhood, hosts farmers markets and coffee shop offerings. Go for the whole experience by picking up their $25 canvas market tote, designed with two sides of modern, unique art that shows what summer in the city is all about. Shop for totes and other products on their website!
Represent with Taste the Local Difference
You may know us from our annual free Local Food Guide, but did you know that we also have fun merchandise to show off your love for local? Our Local Veggies Corduroy Hat ($25) is perfect for a day at the market, and our Michigan Produce Illustrated Tee ($30) includes all the veggies in the shape of our pleasant peninsula. Both products are designed by in-house Michigan artists Casey Cafego and Emily Row. Start shopping here!
Where are you wearing your local swag? Let us know with #tastethelocaldifference on Instagram!