Lindsey Arceci
Opinions Editor
Emeritus
As someone with a healthy diet, I often get asked where to shop and what to buy. Most of the time the questions relate to health food stores and healthy places to eat, but sometimes they relate to where to buy good clothes. My answer to them is always buy local goods or shop in Keene.
I understand many people may not know how easily it is for them to give back to their community but all they need to do is to think locally. My first example is, if one were to go to the Keene Farmer’s Market, they would notice that the fruits and vegetables cost $0.99 and those same foods can be found at Price Chopper or Hannaford’s for $1.00. Why wouldn’t you chose apples grown in your town over apples grown in Alabama?
The whole market is pretty much like that price wise. They usually offer potatoes, apples, blueberries, strawberries, corn, peaches, squash, tomatoes, green beans, and even local meats, milk and eggs. For those who worry that this smorgasbord is only available in the spring and summer, have no fear- for the farmer’s market is now going on year round! During last year’s fall and winter, the farmer’s market could be found at the Colony Mill Marketplace. But beginning in May, the market will move back to Gilbo Avenue.
The farmer’s market is good for more than just fresh local produce and food. They also provide local wool, yarns and flowers. Live music is often present, but the day only lasts from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., so make sure to get in early one Saturday.
Right across the street from the summertime farmer’s market is another large local market called Hannah Grimes Marketplace on Main Street.
Hannah Grimes stretches it’s view of the term “local” as food that is grown, prepared and sold within 100 miles of the marketplace. For Hannah Grimes, this allows them to sell Maine sea salt and fresh fish, Vermont sunflower oil and cornmeal, and New Hampshire spirits like wine, cider and vodka.
The store on Main Street also features multitudes of handmade jewelry, candles, clothes, and dishes from the local area.
Another new great place to buy local foods is at the Monadnock Food Co-op on Cypress Street. The co-op features locally grown food, fair trade food, natural and organic food.
According to the co-op’s website, all the food that is sold at the grocery store was grown and prepared within 100 miles of the co-op.
By purchasing healthy food from local sources, you are not only choosing a healthier choice for your body, but your are helping to support the farmers in your community by putting money back into the area in which the food is grown. The co-op also features a juice bar with fair trade coffee and a small deli for takeout.
Other great local eateries include Keene Fresh Salad and Local Burger. Fresh Salad is known for their wide selection of salads, homemade dressings, breads, soups, pesto and drinks. In the spring and summer the owner’s of the restaurant grow almost all the herbs and vegetables in their own garden in Keene and also use local foods in their dishes.
Local Burger is based in Northampton, Massachusetts and features local meat from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well as their own brand of flavored sodas. And although many would think these restaurants have long waits or are really pricey, the truth is, they’re not. An average meal at Fresh Salad costs around eight or nine dollars and a burger at Local usually ranges from six to seven dollars.
I wholeheartedly encourage people to shop locally for all their purchases if possible, and I highly recommend shopping locally for your clothes.
I’d suggest popping into some of the thrift stores in Keene like the Salvation Army on Roxbury Plaza, More Than a Thrift Store on Marlboro Street, St. James Thrift Shop on Lamson Street and Sak’s Thrift Ave on Main Street.
These four stores have a huge selection of clothes and shoes for guys and girls in college, as well as other cool vintage trinkets and jewelry. If you’re wondering how much some of the clothes go for, let’s just say I bought a white blouse there a few days ago for $0.50 and most of the shirts I have bought there cost no more than $6. Same types of prices go for guys too.
They may be second-hand clothes, but after I wash them once, I can’t even tell the difference.
Overall, shopping and eating locally can be a good thing for many reasons. And if the price isn’t too much different or is less, why not buy local?
Even for those graduating or transferring – research the city or town you’re moving to and see what types of local markets or restaurants are available to you there. But for now, I hope I have provided you with enough alternatives for shopping locally so you don’t have to surrender to food grown in Florida or a sweater costing $50.
Lindsay Arceci can be contacted at
larceci@keene-equinox.com