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About Stacy Mitchell

Stacy Mitchell is a senior researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, where she directs initiatives on independent business and community banking. She is the author of Big-Box Swindle and also produces a popular monthly newsletter, the Hometown Advantage Bulletin.  Connect with her on twitter and catch her recent TEDx Talk: Why We Can’t Shop Our Way to a Better Economy. More

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forbes
ILSR Press Room filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Dec 10, 2012

Buy Smart, But Shopping Won’t Change the World

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/buy-smart-shopping-change-world/

Forbes, December 10, 2012 After posting articles about how consumer trends will change the way we eat and recommending seven great gift ideas for your sustainability obsessed foodie, I am now here to tell you that shopping will not change the world. Although buying from small farms, investing in community supported agriculture and shopping at… Continue reading

reason4
Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 36 Comments | Updated on Dec 10, 2012

Top 10 Reasons to Support Locally Owned Businesses

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/why-support-locally-owned-businesses/

Here are the ten short-and-sweet reasons why supporting independent businesses is critical to the well-bring of our communities and our economy. Continue reading

the-wild-logo
ILSR Press Room filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Dec 8, 2012

Walmart: Screwing Over Farmers While You Get Fat, Since 1988

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/walmart-screwing-farmers-fat-1988/

The Wild Magazine, December 8, 2012 I never shopped at Walmart growing up, especially for food — my parents were Safeway and Target fans. Even in college, my mom warned me to stay away from their meat and produce. In New York City, I don’t even think about the superstore because the nearest location is… Continue reading

images
filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Dec 6, 2012

Paying It Homeward

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/paying-homeward/

Metroland, December 6, 2012 Are buy-local initiatives having a positive impact on local economies? To many, the answer is a resounding “yes” Sharon Fenno knew that many consumers have been rethinking their shopping strategies in recent years to be more supportive of locally owned businesses, but she was still surprised by something that happened recently… Continue reading

ted-shot
Featured Article, Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 9 Comments | Updated on Dec 1, 2012

Why We Can’t Shop Our Way to a Better Economy: Stacy Mitchell’s TEDx Talk

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/ted/

In this TEDx talk, delivered on October 20, 2012 at TEDxDirigo‘s Villages conference at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine,  conference, ILSR Senior Researcher Stacy Mitchell argues for a new phase in the local economy movement. She notes that there’s been a resurgence of support for small farms, local businesses, and community banks, but argues: “As remarkable… Continue reading

walmart-infographic-thumb
Featured Article, Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 15 Comments | Updated on Dec 1, 2012

How Walmart is Devouring the Food System (Infographic)

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/infographic-walmart-food/

Walmart now captures $1 of every $4 Americans spend on groceries. It’s on track to claim one-third of food sales within five years. Here’s a look at how Walmart has dramatically altered the food system — triggering massive consolidation, driving down prices to farmers, and leaving more families struggling to afford healthy food. Continue reading

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Featured Article filed under Banking | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Nov 27, 2012

Free Checking is Rare at Big Banks, Common at Small

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/free-checking-rare-big-banks-common-small/

While just 24 percent of big banks offer totally free checking, more than 60 percent of credit unions and small banks do, according to a new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The report also found that credit unions and small banks have lower fees on average and do a better job of disclosing fees to prospective customers. Continue reading

neighborhoodnotes
ILSR Press Room filed under Banking | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Nov 25, 2012

Portland Credit Unions: Local Alternatives to Big Banks

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/portland-credit-unions-local-alternatives-big-banks/

Neighborhood Notes, November 25, 2012 Portland’s Occupy movement and like-minded activists around the nation have highlighted, using various methods, the benefits of transitioning from big banking to small during the last 12 months. And while some 6 million Americans have switched “their banking business from corporate-level, for-profit banking institutions to not-for-profit credit unions that strive… Continue reading

tennessean
ILSR Press Room filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Nov 23, 2012

Shop Local Campaigns Gain Steam in Middle Tennessee

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/shop-local-campaigns-gain-steam-middle-tennessee/

The Tennessean, November 23, 2012 Joel and Leah Larabell aren’t opening their doors early or offering Black Friday “doorbuster” deals to draw customers to their shop today. Instead, they’re counting on $2.50 cups of herbal tea and good customer service to build business at their East Nashville herbal shop, High Garden. “We’re using more of… Continue reading

aitkinage
ILSR Press Room filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Nov 21, 2012

The Impact of Shopping Local is Huge

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/impact-shopping-local-huge/

Aitkin Age, November 21, 2012 There’s nothing small about the effect small businesses have on the community. That’s not just according to the owners of those businesses. There’s a whole “shop local” movement taking root across the state and throughout the country and experts on that movement agree what’s good for local business is good… Continue reading