The movement in our community and across the nation
Shopping local is a return to something that has worked for people for thousands of years. By supporting local and independent businesses with our dollars, businesses support us with their community partnership. Unlike chain stores, local indy businesses are part of our community–an important part! To learn more about the benefits of shopping local, check out our “Why Local” page.
JP Local First is one of many organizations in Boston and across the United States committed to localism. In the Boston Metro area alone there are five other organizations whose sole mission is to support local and independently owned businesses in their area, many with an emphasis on sustainability.
JP Local First’s fiscal sponsor is the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN), a Cambridge-based nonprofit whose mission is to “build a Massachusetts economy that is local, green, and fair.” Among other projects, SBN organizes the Boston Local Food Festival and the Local Green Guide.
Prominent national organizations include the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) based in California, the Institute for Local Self Reliance (ILSR) based in Maine, and the American Independent Business Alliance(AMIBA) based in Montana.
