Gas Prices Mean Go Green, Go Local

Nothing says more for sustainable agriculture, fresh organic vegetables, local produce, meat, fish and poultry than gas prices that are nudging $5.00. No, $6.00.

Last week the Point Reyes Farmer's Market opened for the Saturday season in front of Toby's Feed Store in Point Reyes. The quantity of produce, the colors and the flavors eventually experienced after a filled back seat of produce was prepared and devoured was phenomenal.

In the matter of a week, my travels took me to the East Coast and five days in New England. Call it system download- possibly crash- but the freshness of the local chains was not quite the same.

It was good to see, however, that New England, with their Lobster Shack, Clam Roll stands, local, handmade ice cream stands, and even the occasional bakery boasting "Fresh Baked Beans- Saturday Only", made an impression that made me realize we can live with higher gas prices.

We just need to adjust to the locale and change our habits. Instead of driving to that destination restaurant, the destination suddenly is a local place. Those places that were not so popular because they were not part of an exciting or scenic jaunt now have an edge up on the out of the way competition. And, eventually, the chains – who cannot shop locally due to the systems they have in place, will have to endure or pass on the hefty delivery charges they will surely be experiencing.

It's time to turn the fuel charges into an asset. Through your advertising ingenuity, even if it means nothing more than a table tent, begin to promote yourself locally. The neighborhood restaurant is back thanks to the team at Mobil.

This weekend, America will celebrate July 4^th. in the town squares, parks and commons that put the America in Americana. Take a look at the celebrations and think about how you can attract these neighbors, these customers who believe their roots are in their community, to your dining room.

Of course as we watch milk, eggs, flour, bread, corn, cereal and other grains skyrocket for whatever reason they claim the are skyrocketing we need to focus on locally grown and produced product.

Suddenly, if you add in the surcharge that vendors are passing on to their clients, whether in delivery charges or price hikes, local organic product is no longer as expensive as it once was. It's time to make the switch and go local, go green. By doing so we will be supporting the local farmer, the community and the circle, the one where everything that goes around, comes around, will be complete.

Just think about it; if gas increases enough, the local clothing store may get busy, stay open late at night, and attract customers and neighbors to the street where you signed that expensive lease.