Sustainable Midlands offers local food, presents
While Cyber Monday promoted commercial retail, Sustainable Midlands’ holiday event celebrated shopping, eating and buying local.
“A sustainable economy is important, look how many people it supports,” said George Stankus of Lamped Lighting. “Everything I make is made from recycled, repurposed, found, or thrift store items made into lamps. Everything serves a purpose,” he said.
Stankus was one of 42 vendors at 701 Whaley last night sharing their stories, samples and good vibes.
Sustainable Midlands is meant to promote local food and business, to stimulate the economy and to show the people of Columbia how important it is to shop local.
Laura Ray of Pogoshop takes old wool sweaters and fabric then handcrafts items for children, like teddy bears and hats.
“With everything you buy from a local producer, you get a story,” Ray said. “People like to have a connection to what they buy.”
Sustainable Midlands brought together people from all over the area to advocate a healthy and vibrant community.
“Events like this provide local people with jobs and give us more interesting and diverse products,” said Celika Lara, a second-year French and European studies student. “All of the products that were being sold just made me so happy, because I know that the artists put a lot of heart and time into their creations. It’s inspiring.”
One of the directors of the event, Amandine Gresil, said, “Here you can come with friends, have a glass of wine, meet great people and shop locally.”
Sustainable Midlands is proof that a sustainable Columbia may have a long way to go, but it has a beginning.