Buy American Is Great, But What About Buy Detroit?

[Scary Guy]

So I was talking with Disintegration Disco's previous DJ the other day and we started discussing crap that's made here because I guess he works in a candy factory. I know we have Faygo but Vernor's Ginger Ale is also made right here in Detroit, as are Better Made potato chips.

Lots of businesses are leaving Detroit because the economy here sucks. Yet if they made more of a profit and people supported them better I think they'd be more inclined to stick around. Even if it costs a little more to buy local why not? The ends justify the means I think.

Does this make sense to anyone or am I just talking out my ass here?

[sinmantyx]

Of course that make sense.

I think what some people completely miss however, is that "Buy American" should mean "Buy American Made" not "Buy American Owned". My husband has had many people come into Home Depot, insisting on buying an "American" appliance made in Mexico, instead of buying a "Chinese" appliance made in the U.S.A.

I think what will help the economy around here the most however (and I know everybody has their theories) is a just a LITTLE bit of optimism. You'd think that, the way people talk, it's 10 times worse here than it actually is. Seriously. (Oh yeah, and giving tax incentives to bussinesses until we're blue in the face and continuing to bankrupt the state government through lack of revenue...really doesn't help.)

A "Buy Local" campaign certainly wouldn't hurt...as long as "buying local" isn't presented as some sort of pity money. I buy Vernor's because it's good!

[Onyx]

I think it's a great idea. Lots of things have started with just one idea.

Detroit used to be a thriving city and I believe Michigan could come back from this mess it's in. People scoff at ideas like this but let them. I love Michigan, with all it's problems and I don't want to leave.

We really do need to vote with our dollars and support local businesses. I've been very guilty of this stuff myself. I could afford to buy American-made products but I often go for the cheapest price.

I'm also trying to cut out companies who have their customer service and tech support based in India (one big reason I've stayed with T-Mobile).

Think what would happen in this country if everyone refused to take this crap anymore.

One thing I have been trying to do is buy fruit and veggies that come directly from here. They are fresher and taste better, even if they are a few pennies more, and there's less waste because I don't have to dump them because they are rotten a couple of days later.

[BrassFusion]

I think what some people completely miss however, is that "Buy American" should mean "Buy American Made" not "Buy American Owned".

ding ding ding ding ding

P.S. Better Made chips kick ass AND they're really quite cheap

[sinmantyx]

Now we just have to make sure that "Made in the U.S.A" (remember those old Walmart commercials) doesn't actually mean "Make in American Samoa with slave labor from Vietnam."

Funny how that "Made in the U.S.A" campaign fizzled once Human Rights Organizations were alerted to the situation.

Yeah...

I certainly buy imports on occasion...from IKEA. Their business model suits my conscience a hell of a lot better.

Going to the Farmers' Market and trekking up to the Pinconning Cheese shop and buying (well used to before pregnancy) Michigan wine...that's brilliant.

Yeah! If you were unaware, Michigan has a beautiful wine industry! Who'd a thonk? In this weather, it seems strange, but you can find both grape wine and cherry wine and other interesting things from wineries right here in Michigan. There is even a winery that does NOT use sulfides! Michigan is foremost in the world for fruit wines. I have a bottle of "Rhubarb Raspberry" wine down in the basement....a prized possession since the winery has stopped making that particular wine. For all I know, it's the last one in existence.

There is also the BEST truffle shop --- ever. If you've only had chocolate from a grocery store or chocolate from one of those tourist traps up in Frankenmuth or something --- you have not actually experienced chocolate! I've always been a chocolate lover and I was utterly amazed. All the sources of the ingredients are all on the up-and-up and the results are so good! It is not cheap, but it is wonderful.

PS: I looked at the website and the Rhubarb-Raspberry is still available. The one in the basement is definitely NOT the only one in existence! Cool. Now (once I deliver) I can drink it with no reservations.

[Onyx]

Some interesting flavors in that chocolate - rosemary and lavender. Hmmm I think I will try those.

I had no idea we had good cheese and chocolate and wine made here.

[Marblez]

I recently read an article in Time Magazine which focuses on a debate between buying local versus buying organic. The author basically settles on local. The negatives of "non-organic" are nothing compared to the effects of purchasing unripened foods grown in Guatamala, shipping them on a refrigerated jet, then trucking them to New York from California. He would rather buy fresh foods grown and ripened at a farm close to his home (some are even organic). I learned about CSA's (Community Supported Acriculture) which allow you to pay for a season's worth of vegetables/fruits etc. to be picked up or delivered weekly from a nearby farm. I have spoken to my Father and Sister, we plan to get involved in this.

Here is the link to the article: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/...1595245,00.html

[Steven]

I recently read an article in Time Magazine which focuses on a debate between buying local versus buying I learned about CSA's (Community Supported Acriculture) which allow you to pay for a season's worth of vegetables/fruits etc. to be picked up or delivered weekly from a nearby farm. I have spoken to my Father and Sister, we plan to get involved in this.

Here is the link to the article: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/...1595245,00.html

this is a great idea.

can you share some info????

where does a Vato go to buy a season's worth of produce?

[Troy Spiral (13)]

I've long been a supporter of the idea that people need to take pride in being from michigan generally and the detroit area specificity and try to support this area. Despite our education from the Cult Of The Entertainer telling us that if we arent from LA or NY (or MAYBE Chicago) we arent from anywhere.

But, at this point i think after lots and lots of hand wringing, I've finally just given in to the idea that i'm a Citizen of earth. If earthlings make it, and I'm not like morally opposed to it, fine.

I just have too hard a time justifying "my" jobs or "my friends jobs" (or the like) being more important than anyone else's.

[Brenda Starrr]

I actually look for things that are made here. I mean, I live here now, why not support our economy and try to help it grow? When I lived in MD, I bought wines rom MD wineries. I would totally do the same here, for whatever products I use.

[sinmantyx]

I just have too hard a time justifying "my" jobs or "my friends jobs" (or the like) being more important than anyone else's.

You can always think of it this way: buying local is more efficient. Efficiency (using our resources wisely) is good for everybody.

[Marblez]

You can always think of it this way: buying local is more efficient. Efficiency (using our resources wisely) is good for everybody.

Such as the example about buying local produce rather than wasting resources and contributing to pollution by shipping items from somewhere else.

[sinmantyx]

Such as the example about buying local produce rather than wasting resources and contributing to pollution by shipping items from somewhere else.

Exactly!

[sass_in_the_pants]

I'm pretty sure they don't bottle Vernors here anymore. Cadbury Schwepp's owns Vernors now.

And, here's some trivia to impress your friends and family - a Boston cooler is actually named after Boston Blvd, not the city of Boston, which has scarcely heard of the deliciously different little beverage, which I am sipping on right now.

[Homicidalheathen]

I buy better maid because they actually taste better. I NEVER buy Lays.

And FAYGO ROCKS!!! I am not just saying that because I love ICP.

[Marblez]

this is a great idea.

can you share some info????

where does a Vato go to buy a season's worth of produce?

You can search for CSA's and local fams and farm markets at localharvest.org

Northville farm market opens ... May 3rd?

[BrassFusion]

I'm pretty sure they don't bottle Vernors here anymore. Cadbury Schwepp's owns Vernors now.

And, here's some trivia to impress your friends and family - a Boston cooler is actually named after Boston Blvd, not the city of Boston, which has scarcely heard of the deliciously different little beverage, which I am sipping on right now.

what's that... vernors and vanilla ice cream?

[Troy Spiral (13)]

Unfortunately, in most situations "buying local" isn't the most efficient nor does it have any real "value" other than emotional value (if that).

Neither Value or Price orientation are winners in buying local per-se. Distribution skill has increased to the point that even the concept of local is blurry. I've sat through enough retail meetings to feel fairly competent on the subject. Thats not to say there is no benefit to buying "local" but its deferentially not as simple as that.

It sounds warm and fuzzy but unfortunately its more of an illusion than a reality. There isnt any real white hats or black hats in this story. Most everyone is wearing a gray hat.

What was is thought of as "local" today would have been buying from halfway across the world 50 years ago. Especially once we start talking about more complex, manufactured goods. 50 years from now the concept of "local" will be much different as well.

Local means whatever we want it to mean.

I like the IDEA of it, but the reality and the idealism often are at odds with each other.

[Scary Guy]

what's that... vernors and vanilla ice cream?

I also heard Ted from I-Rock say you can heat it like tea.

[sinmantyx]

Unfortunately, in most situations "buying local" isn't the most efficient nor does it have any real "value" other than emotional value (if that).

Neither Value or Price orientation are winners in buying local per-se. Distribution skill has increased to the point that even the concept of local is blurry. I've sat through enough retail meetings to feel fairly competent on the subject. Thats not to say there is no benefit to buying "local" but its deferentially not as simple as that.

It sounds warm and fuzzy but unfortunately its more of an illusion than a reality. There isnt any real white hats or black hats in this story. Most everyone is wearing a gray hat.

What was is thought of as "local" today would have been buying from halfway across the world 50 years ago. Especially once we start talking about more complex, manufactured goods. 50 years from now the concept of "local" will be much different as well.

Local means whatever we want it to mean. <insert flowery description of the values of our ever-shifting definition of what "local" means here>

I like the IDEA of it, but the reality and the idealism often are at odds with each other.

Oh gosh, we aren't going to start talking about "economy of scale" or some-such thing?

Local doesn't always mean efficient in that local products are not necessarily produced and distributed efficiently. I get that. All else being equal however, if something is locally produced it is more efficient to consume it locally than fly it to Tanzania.

For example, I may get all warm and fuzzy from eating from my garden in the backyard; but as far as amount of effort per tomato (using my own hoe and tiny packages of seeds and what-not) it is FAR more than a tomato bought at the Grocery Store. Of course, if I don't want to buy a some-what red looking sponge imitating a tomato...I'll buy from the local Farmers' Market. It would be less efficient for me to buy a tomato shipped in from a small farm in Kentucky (most likely).

Thing is, I must admit a bit of hypocrisy here. I like going on local "food trips". The gas I use to travel to these places completely negates any sort of "efficiency" that buying local gains. I do feel good about supporting the local business; but mostly, I just enjoy traveling to places where I can buy food. Maybe it's some sort of primal hunter/gatherer mentality. I dunno.

I just realized that I mentioned I was *traveling* to a *local* business to buy stuff!! I guess I just made your point about the term "local" losing its meaning. I mean "local" as in Michigan.

[Scary Guy]

I just realized that I mentioned I was *traveling* to a *local* business to buy stuff!! I guess I just made your point about the term "local" losing its meaning. I mean "local" as in Michigan.

That's alright, that's what I meant too. But if I can get it from say the county or city i'm in that's all the better IMO.