Alright, friend, grab your coffee and settle in because we need to have a little heart-to-heart. The dust from Black Friday has settled, and maybe you’re sitting there admiring your haul—those great deals, the “can’t-pass-up” discounts. But I have to ask you something: Was it worth it?
Now, I’m not here to guilt-trip you (okay, maybe a little), but let’s talk about what those bargain-bin steals really cost. No, not the price tag—I’m talking about the cost to your neighbors, your community here in West Central Indiana, and the planet itself. Because here’s the thing: Every dollar you spent at a big-box store or on some cheap, mass-produced import was a dollar not spent keeping our local economy alive.
And that, my friend, is a problem. A big one.
The Death of Community Resilience
Let’s start here: Every time a local business shuts its doors in West Central Indiana, your community gets a little weaker. That cute boutique downtown in Terre Haute? It’s not just a shop; it’s someone’s dream, their livelihood. That family-owned diner on 13th Street? It’s where neighbors connect, share stories, and build relationships. And when those places disappear, we lose more than goods and services—we lose the fabric of what makes West Central Indiana a great place to live.
Big-box stores and online giants don’t care about your town. They care about profits, plain and simple. And guess what? Those profits don’t stay in West Central Indiana. They get funneled to corporate HQs and shareholders who’ve never set foot in your neighborhood. Meanwhile, the mom-and-pop shops that do care—the ones who sponsor your kid’s Little League team or donate to the school fundraiser—are left struggling to compete with “everyday low prices.”
And while we’re at it, let’s talk eggs. Those $3.68 ones from Walmart? They’ve got nothing on our $4 farm eggs when it comes to nutritional quality. I can promise you, they weren’t laid here in Terre Haute or anywhere in West Central Indiana like ours were. And let’s not forget the packaging. Walmart’s eggs come in Styrofoam—a.k.a. polystyrene foam—a material that’s not biodegradable and could still be hanging around 500 years from now. Meanwhile, our eggs are packaged in pulp paper cartons that break down quickly in the compost system, nourishing the land instead of polluting it. Just something to think about.
The Price of Cheap Imports
And let’s talk about those “deals.” That $5 sweater or $20 gadget might seem like a steal, but the true cost is staggering. Cheap imports flood the market with poorly made products, undermining American craftsmanship and driving local manufacturers out of business. And don’t even get me started on the environmental impact.
Those goods? They’re shipped halfway around the world on fuel-guzzling cargo ships, produced in factories with questionable labor practices, and wrapped in enough plastic to choke a whale. All so we can feel like we got a great bargain. Is that really worth it?
“But Traci, I Can’t Afford Local”
I hear this argument a lot, and trust me, I get it. Times are tough, and budgets are tight. But here’s the thing: Buying local isn’t about spending more—it’s about spending smarter. When you buy from a local business here in West Central Indiana, more of your money stays in your community. It supports jobs, funds public services, and creates a ripple effect that benefits everyone.
And let’s be real—how much of that Black Friday haul did you actually need? How many of those “great deals” are just going to collect dust or end up in a landfill? What if, instead of buying more stuff, we invested in things that truly matter—like good food, strong communities, and a healthier planet?
Building a Future That Lasts
Here on Huckleberry Farms in West Central Indiana, we don’t do Black Friday. We’re too busy prepping for winter, taking care of the animals, and making sure the land is ready to rest and regenerate. Because that’s the thing about farming—it teaches you the value of sustainability. It’s not about quick wins or cheap fixes; it’s about building something that lasts.
And that’s what buying local is about, too. It’s a survival strategy, plain and simple. It’s about creating resilient communities here in West Central Indiana that can weather the storms—economic, environmental, or otherwise. It’s about making sure our kids grow up in towns where they know their neighbors, not just the nearest strip mall.
So, What Can We Do?
It’s simple: Start small. Shop at the local farmers’ market in Terre Haute. Buy your gifts from artisans in your area. Support the bakery down the street instead of grabbing that prepackaged junk from a chain store. Every little bit counts.
And the next time a big sale rolls around, ask yourself: Who benefits from this purchase? Is it someone in my community? Is it a business that shares my values? Or is it just feeding into a system that’s making us weaker, poorer, and more disconnected?
Because here’s the truth: We vote with our dollars every single day. And if we keep voting for cheap and convenient, that’s all we’ll get—cheap goods and a convenient excuse for why our communities in West Central Indiana are falling apart.
So, friend, as you sip your coffee and think about the choices you’ll make this holiday season, ask yourself: What kind of world do you want to build? Because it starts here. It starts now. And it starts with us—here, in West Central Indiana.
Until next time,
Traci
Hungry for More?
If you’ve been enjoying our Farm Table Talk articles, why not bring a little farm-to-table magic into your own kitchen? Check out our digital cookbook—packed with simple, seasonal recipes straight from our farm to yours. Whether you’re looking for hearty meals, quick snacks, or creative ways to use fresh, local ingredients, we’ve got you covered. Plus, every purchase supports our mission to nurture the land, care for our animals, and keep sharing the real stories behind farm life.
