Nova Scotia is home to many farmers, growers, producers, crafters, brewers, winemakers, bakers, the list goes on. All of these wonderfully talented people help support our economy and supply us with wonderful locally grown and made items created right in Nova Scotia. Now when it is easier then ever to buy from big box stores or order things speedily online its even more important to support local in Nova Scotia. This keeps our money in the province, encourages visitors to spend more locally and helps people continue to support themselves working jobs that they love.
Whether you live in Nova Scotia or are visiting here are a few of the best ways to shop and support local in Nova Scotia.
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Visit a Farmers Market
One of the best ways anywhere to support local businesses is to shop at Farmers Markets. There are over 40 farmers markets in Nova Scotia and the farmers market co-op of NS is now celebrating 20 years. The Farmers Markets in Nova Scotia sell everything from local in season produce to local meats, dairy, honey, craft beverages, coffee roasters, baked goods, jams and so much more. They also have people providing local services like knife sharpening, flower bouquets and ready to go food items. Our markets are also filled with people creating locally made craft items, 3-d printed toys, home decor, gifts and more.
Farmers Markets are also a great way to connect with your local community. Many take place on Saturday mornings but there are others that take place through the week or even during the afternoon. Visit FarmersMarketsNovaScotia.ca to find a great local farmers market near to where you are visiting in Nova Scotia.
Visit a Crafters Market
Craft markets in Nova Scotia are less common than Farmers Markets but they do pop up often. You can find a lot of them especially before the holidays when there are several Christmas craft markets every week from about mid-November to Christmas. Follow the social accounts for Craft Nova Scotia, Halifax Crafters Society, and Dartmouth Marker’s for when their next markets are. To find other craft markets across the province connect with community groups on Facebook, reach out to local Visitor Information Centres or local craft stores and check out this great list from Nova Scotia tourism.
Look for Nova Scotia Loyal Signs
At the end of July 2024 the Nova Scotia government officially launched their Nova Scotia Loyal program. This program highlights Nova Scotian made products in stores all across the province. Two of their main partners for this program are Sobey’s grocery stores and the NSLC. Aside from having NS Loyal identifying signs in these two stores many locations there are also kickbacks for locals buying Nova Scotia Loyal local products with their Scene+ and Air Miles cards at certain promotional times. Look for the Nova Scotia Loyal signs where you shop to quickly identify these locally made products. Learn more by visiting NSLoyal.ca.
If you are a Nova Scotian with school aged children the Nova Scotia Loyal program has also handed out $10 Farmers Market vouchers to over 135,000 kids in the province. Check your kids backpacks for them, or if they haven’t received them yet they will in the new school year. This is a great way to support local but also get our kids thinking about it as well.
Support Farm Stands
Nova Scotians have a lot of trust, so much so that they sometimes leave products for sale on the side of the road with the hope that you will leave money in return for taking the items. An example would be Cake by the Maples in New Germany, NS. The owner Shauna makes delicious baked goods and leaves them in an old fridge in her yard for people to enjoy with prices marked. You can leave cash or e-transfer her for the items you take.
In other parts of the province people leave potatoes, firewood, pumpkins, squash and other fresh produce out for people to buy in the same way. They have a locked box to drop your money in and you’re on your way with a great treat. This helps pay these locals for their items without them needing to be there all the time.
Dine at Locally Owned Restaurants
If possible skip the chain restaurants and support the small guys by dining at local restaurants. Not only does this support the local business owners but more often then not they are often sourcing their foods locally as well so it has a trickle down shop local effect. The same goes for locally owned businesses of any kind. From car mechanics to shoe repair, market stores like Avery’s Farm Market or Noggins, and even local bakeries.
Support Local Industries
A large and always growing local industry that we have here in Nova Scotia tends to be the drinks business. Like craft beer, coffee roasters, wine, spirits, ciders, spritzs and more. From alcohol to increasingly more fancy and delicious non-alcoholic options you can find them all across the province. There are now over 56 craft beer brewers in Nova Scotia, 14+ winemakers, lots of cideries, several coffee roasters and more. This is a great industry to support as again they are often using other local producers to help make their quality products as well. This is just one of the many local industries in Nova Scotia that you can easily help support.
Leave Great Reviews
Shopping local isn’t always the cheapest option for buying certain things. I realize it isn’t something that everyone can necessarily afford to do. However if and when you can, think about leaving the person you bought from a great review online. Or you could even consider just sharing with friends on social media about a great experience you had or lovely item you purchased. Word of mouth and sharing online are some great free ways that you can also support local in Nova Scotia.
