The Buy-Local Loyalty Program
The Buy-Local Loyalty Program (BLLP) was created by the Independent Retailers Shared Services Cooperative to provide consumers with a range of benefits while supporting local farmers and other locally owned businesses.
Our program was designed to help lower costs for consumers. By shopping at participating independent retailers through the Buy-Local Loyalty Program, customers enjoy competitive prices, special discounts, and exclusive offers on a range of products.
The IRSSC recognizes the hard work and dedication of farmers in supplying quality products. By participating in the program, shoppers ensure fair compensation for farmers, even in the face of challenges like reduced crop production and drought. Customer support helps sustain their livelihoods and encourages sustainable agricultural practices.
Consumers:
Ask your local grocers to create programs like this! Invite them to contact the IRSSC to learn more about the Buy-Local Loyalty Program.
Shopping locally through the Buy-Local Loyalty Program gives consumers access to an array of fresh, locally sourced products. The taste and quality of seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats, and other items directly from local farms and producers are enjoyed by those who participate.
Members of a Buy-Local Loyalty Program receive personalized offers, tailored recommendations, and exclusive rewards based on shopping preferences and habits.
The program brings together a community of like-minded individuals who appreciate the value of supporting local businesses and farmers. When customers shop through the program, they contribute to the growth and vitality of the local economy. Supporting independent retailers also helps create jobs, fosters entrepreneurship, and enhances the overall economic well-being of a community.
History
The Coronavirus outbreak made an unprecedented impact on the global economy. The pandemic exposed weaknesses in the supply chain, especially meat processing, and vulnerabilities in the distribution model.
The hard red winter wheat crop in the United States in 2022 “was the smallest since 1963”. But in 1963, there were only 182 million people living in this nation. Our population has grown to 329 million.
Almost three-fourths of all U.S. farmers say that the drought in 2022 hurt their harvests.
At least 40 percent of the United States suffered from drought conditions for 101 consecutive weeks.
Overall, 2022 was the worst multi-year megadrought in the United States in 1,200 years.
The prices of some fertilizers tripled since 2021, while the prices of some other fertilizers actually quadrupled.
The IRSSC launched its Buy-Local Loyalty Program in October of 2022 at the Common Market in Union, Maine.
For more information, contact Mark Sprackland, President/Executive Director.
Sample Promotion Using the BLLP
This is a sample of a promotion that yielded great sales results for a local farm and helped raise substantial funding for a food pantry.