I live in a small, French-Canadian town  in Southern Manitoba. I was a little apprehensive when I moved here, but six years have passed and I can't come up with enough reasons to move back to the city. Back then, as pretty as this place is, my first glimpse left me unimpressed. I was missing my coffee haunts, the zoo, the book and art supply store as well as the anonymity of city living. I now see that this small section of Manitoba has all one needs; a grocery store, hardware/liquor store with a post office, restaurant and bar, K-12 school, bank, insurance company, arena, curling rink, campground and social hall. Recently a health centre and daycare opened. Life in this friendly town is very comfortable.

When I lived in the city, I often saw the Co-op gasoline stations, but thought nothing of it until I moved to the country. In my area, there are about six Co-op locations. All are a part of a small, regional group offering petrol, food, farm supplies, hardware and more. Throughout the Western provinces, there are about two hundred and fourty retail Co-op locations , all of which form the Co-operative Retailing System. Co-ops are owned and operated by members of the community that they service. Each member has a vote to elect members, who also live and work in the community, to the board of directors . Co-ops bolster the local economy, employ locally and support community projects or charitable organisations.

I have to admit that I do shop at the Real Canadian Superstore, about every six weeks, as some things are unavailable at my Co-op food store, like cilantro and Buy Canadian First member So Good and their yummy chocolate beverage.  The best thing about my local Co-op is the Manitoba-produced products available on its shelves that include eggs, carrots, honey, cheese and pork. It doesn't stop there! My Co-op also has Canadian products that includes beef, salmon, milk, apples, tomato paste, soup, potatoes, locally baked items, prepared pizzas and fresh-made perogies. How awesome is that?  I wouldn't trade in for the world, being able to buy local Canadian-made products in rural Manitoba at a reasonable price, from people who greet me with a huge smile and by name. Now ,if only they would sell me the winning lotto 6-49 Quick Pick...

So Canada, I encourage you to support your local businesses, seek out homegrown enterprise and continue to shop for local and Canadian made product.

Do you have a favourite local business?

image credit: Andrea Willowcat and Buy Canadian First member So Good