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Consumer information

• Consumer demand is powerful!  What you support with your dollar makes a difference - you can choose to buy products or use services from people and companies that are working toward a sustainable future.
• Fair Trade is part of the solution.
• Most of the supermarkets in Rotorua have fair trade products, especially coffee.
• Trade Aid (a fair trade shop) stocks a full range of Fair trade merchandise.
• When you buy food, buy local wherever possible.  Less transport means less need for the road, less pollution etc; more accountability in terms of agricultural methods (organic etc); guaranteed protection of employee rights; and meaningful work for local people.
• Local farmers' markets are very common throughout New Zealand (but none yet in Rotorua). There is a huge movement towards community supported agriculture in other countries, which is beginning to grow in momentum here in New Zealand too.   Community supported agriculture has huge benefits to the community as a whole.  Farmers' markets give local growers (even the home gardener) a place to sell excess food and locally produced food products to the community.  The community gets an opportunity to buy locally grown, often organic food and local crafts.
• There is a Rotorua market (though not a local farmers market) at Kuirau Park on Saturday mornings.
• Buy New Zealand Made is important for supporting local business, especially when they also do their best to engage in sustainable practices.
• The Story of Stuff answers the question: 'why can't things keep going the way they are?'

Learn more about...

• Well-being
• Waste minimisation
• Sustainable transport
• Water
• Sustainable business
• Sustainable development
• Sustainable buildings
• Climate change
• Energy efficiency
• Food systems
• Ecosystems
• Forests
• Wetlands
• Air quality