[whitecrow]

Your idea's a good one as long as the money is worth something. Most towns have some kind of farmer's market...these are wonderful resources. In some areas you may be able to glean or to pick your own for a small fee.

One of the projects my local crew is working on is installing edible landscaping.

Do try to patronize locally-owned businesses as much as possible. Why go to MalWart and give your money to the PTB, when you can help sustain someone in your community who is struggling just like you? Do your best to become as fully engaged as possible with your local economy.

Local economy means local community. Get to know your neighbors and local merchants. Prejudice is one of the biggest enemies of community. I buy my water from a Korean, my cigarettes from an Iraqi and my newspaper from a Pakistani. I'm quite sure all of these individuals have encountered prejudice here, yet they are a vital part of the community. Any one of them could be here with bad intent, but the odds are not big. I know a great mechanic; whenever I take Faded Glory in I grab a handful of his cards and pass them out. The guy I buy crystals and stones from gives me a discount because he knows me. This is community. When I make batches of soap I make sure all of these folks get at least a small sample of what I make. Pay it forward.