Jared Eats World

I read numerous articles on food daily. Some are quite interesting, others… well, not so much. Many of these articles have ideas that can help change a community, make it stronger, healthier, and more in touch with where your food comes from. Other articles just like to tell you what foods cause cancer, or what foods make you fat. As far as I know, blueberries cure cancer, malaria, the common cold, help your digestive system, cause divorce rates in America to double, and cause people to acquire Ebola. The last part I made up, but you’d probably believe me if MSN wrote it.

Introducing the 3/50 Project. An idea, that really isn’t an idea… more so, a way of life. It’s something that you should have been aware of, but weren’t. It’s an idea so simple, so minute in detail, that you never would have thought of it. Take the pet rock as an example. In fact, I’m petting my pet rock as I type this. Impressed?

The 3/50 Project is simple. Let’s start with the 3. Pick 3 locally owned businesses. No, Walmart and Target don’t count. If those 3 local store were gone, would you miss them? If so… then stop in, say hello, and support these businesses. You are the reason these businesses are still here.

Moving on to the 50. If 1/2 of the employed population spent $50.00 each month at locally owned businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. For every $100.00 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68.00 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend it at a national chain, only $43.00 stays local.

Now, I’m not a genius… but I’m pretty sure that America was built on local businesses and communities. This idea brings everything back full circle. We as consumers need to start helping others. The end to this recession starts with you. It starts by giving back to community, and it starts by supporting local businesses that actually care.

If you’d like to know more about the 3/50 project, please visit their website here: http://www.the350project.net