QotD: think global, buy local

Do you buy products made locally?  Is there anything made in your area that you love?

Almost always, I opt for not only locally produced, but locally owned. I try to understand the parentage of the brands. Therefore, I don’t buy Eta, Just Juice or Citrus Tree (French), Wattie’s or Thexton (American), Griffin’s (Australian) or even the New Zealand Listener (Irish) and others masquerading as domestic. I always seek out the local equivalent, though when they are unavailable, I buy Australian. Therefore, Pam’s gets some business from me, as does Whittaker’s, and other less-known ones. If anything, I take an anti-brand approach to shopping.
   For those who wonder whether I get as much variety in my groceries, the answer is that I get more. Local producers, especially the less known ones, really surprise me with their inventiveness, if only we gave them a try and shut some silly ads out of our heads.