if everything is local, is anything actually local?

That's the interesting question that's posed at Ukiah Blog Live.

It seems as if some corporations are latching onto the local movement, stating that, "...buying local means any store in your community: mom-and-pop stores, national chains, big-box stores — you name it.” But shopping at a multi-national chain is hardly in the spirit of what the "buy local" movement originally intended.

Some examples of this trend:
- The International Council of Shopping Centers, a global conglomeration of mall owners and developers, is paying for TV ads asking people to “Shop Local” — at their nearest mall.

- Walmart is hanging banners over its produce aisles that say “Local.”

So is this "local" path that some corporations are taking truthful? At the very least, it's good for the economy, but it seems a little shady for big corporations and chains to capitalize on a trend that was created to support independent mom and pop shops.

- posted by Hillary Hempstead

[image via treehugger]

what do cookies, ice cream and popcorn clusters all have in common?

It's package observation day here at Trend Sage.

Recently, I've noticed quite a few packaged goods on my local grocery store's shelves that look strikingly similar. Is it me, or does it look as if the same designer had his or her hand in creating these? I guess a clean, white background is now de rigueur for communicating simplicity of ingredients. At least Pillsbury, Smartfood and Haagen Daz think so.

On the plus side, at least none of these products are in the same category. That's a big no-no.

- posted by Hillary Hempstead