Would you buy food from a neighbor?

@cassidy22 (2974)
United States
July 3, 2008 11:58am CST
I am on a big buy local kick. It means I get fresher food, and it doens't spend it's time driving across the country in the back of a truck. I grow a lot of my own food, but have been trying to buy from neighbors as well, hoping they will also buy from me. We raise chicken and lamb, as well as fruits and veggies. One of our neighbors has bees, and I ride my bike to his farm to buy our honey. It helps support my local community and I know I am getting good, fresh honey - and I can give them back their jars so they can easily reuse them. If your neighbors grew food, would you buy it from them?
3 people like this
20 responses
@calajane (1003)
• Poland
4 Jul 08
Well I do all my grocery shopping in the neighbourhood. I know all the shop owners and they know me. It's a great community and a great experience. They often ask how my father is and if the storm last night scared my cat... And sometimes they leave something good for me so I don't miss out on good things. It's a great thing, because I know they provide a good service and they can be sure they have a customer in me.
@rosema (1145)
• Philippines
4 Jul 08
Hi cassidy22, If my neighbors sell food, I will be the one to became their customers, you know its really nice to help specially our neighbors, because sometimes we will needing their help too. thansk and happy mylotting.
• Canada
8 Jul 08
If it was an enironment where we produced our own food, and we were selling it, I'd buy from whoeer was selling. My mother lives in a farming community where this happens quie often. My huband did the same when he lived in a similar area.
@cassidy22 (2974)
• United States
9 Jul 08
I am starting on Saturday, to sell at the farmer's market in my town. I am really excited about it, and I tend to buy veggies there too!
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
4 Jul 08
I would. In some instances it may even be healthier. My hubby has purchased tomatoes from a local veggie stand before. The tomato salad was yummy.
• United States
3 Jul 08
no ... i wont beacause its bad manners ... what will our neighbors will think that we dont get food in our home ??? and it is a type of noobish thing .. =]
@cassidy22 (2974)
• United States
4 Jul 08
I don't see why it is bad manners to support your neighbors and your friends? You would rather buy food from a stranger than support your own community? Just curious if there is a cultural difference here that I don't understand.
• Japan
4 Jul 08
sure. If I were in your situation, I would have also done the same thing. Giving and taking is the best way to keep the relation stronger. It should not be always taking or alway giving. Once in a while you have to give too.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
4 Jul 08
i will actually if it is fresh and good quality... why not??? i save fuel money as i don't have to travel and i am getting fresh food from the farm... unfortunately, i didn't stay in the country... so i can't do that... i have to do my grocery in the supermarket... but that's alright as i can earn points from flybuys and redeem it to get a $20 gift card which i can use it again to shop in the supermarket... so i can save a little bit of money... take care and have a nice day...
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
4 Jul 08
Dear friend, During special occasions our neighbours give special food for us and during special occasions we also given food to our neighbours. Rarely any neighbour give other than special occasion. Even though they invite for dinner if they are in their house during evening or night. But reject with thanking them. Also we all have common food during parties and may special functions when we gather. Yes I do buy food from neighbour if they are selling it too. It might be most reliable food with more better quality that I can get from market.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
4 Jul 08
Sure I would. If your neighbors are eating it then you know that the food is safe. Plus if you think about it you are saving on gas money by not having to drive to the store and you are helping your neighbor out a little bit too.
@mrsjbelle (1640)
• United States
3 Jul 08
Definetly if it was something that I needed. Always glad to help out a fellow friend or neighbor or even a stranger. Home grown food sounds really yummy:)
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
4 Jul 08
If I livedd in the country yes, but alas I live in an apartment complex and my neighbors are in condos or family homes and nobody i know of around here grows a lot of stuff maybe a small veggie garden for their own use. but downtowm tustin does have a Farmers market set up every tuesday where we can buy fresh produce from them. its not very handy for me as I have no car so everything has tobe done viabus or cab.
@roshand8 (1478)
• Sri Lanka
4 Jul 08
I am so impressed.What a nice life style you have.I wish I can be like you.I also have some vegetable plants and herbs in my garden but,still not producing enough for our consumption.Yes,if my neighbors grew food i will definitely buy them and share mine.
• India
3 Jul 08
hey cassidy why not buy food from your neighbours til itz fresh n good in terms of price ...it wud make me feel comfortable..wen i hav been to ma townside ma granpa used to sell raddishes n fruits to ma neighbour and dey used to exchange it for rice n coconuts...it waz like da barter system in da olden dayz
@biodude (37)
• Philippines
4 Jul 08
Yes, surely as long as it is fresh, clean and what you want. This will help develop good friendship and makes you a great neighbour.
• Canada
3 Jul 08
Yes, I have and I would... if I were still living in the country. I used to have my own garden but still purchased things I didn't grow myself from my neighbors and other local farms. I think it's not only good for the economy but good for our health. Buying local can mean that we actually known how things are grown or raised. That helps us make smart decisions about our diet too... which is an added bonus to just having wonderful, fresh, great tasting items readily available :)
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
3 Jul 08
yes Cassidy I would buy food from a neighbor. During the summer months my neigghbor will come over with fresh tomatoes, and green peppers from her garden for me. She is a good neighbor to have. Food that comes from a garden is always so fresh and taste so goog
@k1tten (2318)
• United States
3 Jul 08
If I could I definitely would. I think helping the community is a wonderful thing and your friends must enjoy talking to you and getting to know you better when you get things from them. I know it's a wonderful thing to be able to do that.
@twallace (2675)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I think that is the best way to keep things in the community. This way your not over spending for things that can be grown right in your yard. I would if I had neighbors like that but I don't. If more people did this the food stores would have problems. But most people have gotten so use to going to the store to the point growing things in your own yard is not that popular anymore. But I think that it's a great thing that your doing. Keep it up!!
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
3 Jul 08
Hello,cassidy! I would not mind to purchase any fruits or vegetables or any other things if any of my neighbor is selling at reasonable price.you see i am seventy years old and my condition does not always permit me to go to the market on regular basis.so if things are available nearby why should i not avail it.thanx.
• United States
3 Jul 08
I sure would!! I often buy things from the local farm stands near where I live. Everything is always so clean and fresh and yummy. It's a good way to meet local people too.