Shop Local, Shop Green: A Guide to Sustainable Shopping in Saint John
One of the best things we can do as individuals to protect the environment is to shop as sustainably as we can. Luckily, Saint John is home to many businesses and collectives whose goals emphasize purchasing local produce, reducing the impacts of fast fashion, and supporting small organizations! You’ll have a blast searching for unique gifts and clothing, fresh food, and home décor. It can be a fun and ethical challenge to try and find whatever you want or need in your local area.
Queen Square Farmers Market https://linktr.ee/Qsfmsj
The Queen Square Farmers Market is open from mid-May until early October each year. On Sundays from 9am until 2pm, you can find food vendors, artists, performers and more. The market is a great place to purchase sustainable grocery items and gifts. It is the perfect place to engage with the Saint John community and spend a relaxing day.
Pumpkin Patch https://pumpkinpatchsaintjohn.com/
Pumpkin Patch is found on the west side of Saint John and specializes in local produce. You can shop for in-season fruits, veggies, and meat. You can also find gardening supplies, plants and flowers, and over 50 flavours of ice cream! However, Pumpkin Patch closes for the winter months.
Saint John City Market https://www.sjcitymarket.ca/
Photo Source: https://www.sjcitymarket.ca/gallery
The Saint John City Market is a staple of the city, open from Monday to Saturday year-round. You’ll be able to find local food and drink vendors, specialty international products, clothes, homemade gifts, and a variety of art. The market is in the heart of uptown and provides a sense of community along with high-quality merchandise. It is a delight to experience in the holiday season and you’ll most likely be able to find unique gifts for all the special people in your life at one stop.
Corn Crib http://corncrib.ca/
Corn Crib is located on King Street and sells organic food and health products. The business aims to use local sources whenever possible and makes sure that no food goes to waste. Corn Crib promotes a healthy, holistic lifestyle and environmental stewardship.
The Feel Good Store https://thefeelgoodstore.ca/
The Feel Good Store is located in the centre of uptown Saint John and is closed Sundays and Mondays. The eco-friendly store sells health and beauty products along with reusable options for single-use items, jewelry, art, and other trinkets. The shop boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere and even has a bar to grab yourself a cup of tea.
Kingston Farmers Market http://www.kingstonfarmersmarket.ca/
Photo Source: https://theseasonalgourmet.ca/category/new-brunswick/
The Kingston Farmers Market is open Saturdays from 8 am-1pm beginning in early May through to late October. It hosts over 90 vendors selling local products including produce, prepared food, textiles, art, and jewelry. You’ll also usually be treated to live music. Enjoy a beautiful ferry ride between the city and the Kingston peninsula.
Guy’s Frenchys https://guysfrenchys.com/guys-frenchys-locations/saint-john-new-brunswick/
The Saint John Guy’s Frenchys location is found on the west side. The store has a wide range of second-hand clothing for varying sizes and ages at very affordable prices, along with a selection of other items. Make an event out of searching for unique pieces and you’re sure to find a steal.
The Kindness Closet https://thekindnesscloset.myshopify.com/
The Kindness Closet is a non-profit thrift boutique found just outside the city market. The inconspicuous shop is stocked with curated second-hand clothing and a variety of products made by small Canadian businesses. They also maintain a selection of free interview/work clothing for those in need, run an upcycling education program, and spread awareness concerning the harmful nature of fast fashion.
The Clothes Mine https://www.clothesmine.ca/
Photo Source: https://lapetitewatson.com/saint-john-nb-thrift-guide/
The Clothes Mine is a thrift store located on the east side of the city. It boasts affordable prices and a wide array of clothing, with daily restocks. There is something for everybody at this sustainable business!
The Hospice Shoppe https://hospicesj.ca/hospice-shoppe/
The Hospice Shoppe is located on the west side of Saint John. You can shop tax-free for clothing and home décor, with all profits going directly to Bobby’s Hospice to support those in palliative care. Support several good causes while searching for one-of-a-kind items.
Container Village https://www.area506.ca/container-village
The Area 506 container village is home to over 40 vendors, all working out of shipping containers. You can find food, second-hand clothing, gifts and more from Wednesdays to Sundays (or whenever a cruise ship is in port). There are also frequent art installations and musical performances throughout the operational season.
We hope this list gives you a good start on your journey to shopping local. Happy shopping!
Creating Wildlife-Friendly Gardens: How to Attract Bees, Butterflies, and Birds to Your Green Space
Are you lucky to have your own garden or a space that you can cultivate? Why not consider planting in a way that will benefit local wildlife and turn it into a mini paradise for birds, bees, and butterflies? Even adding just one plant can make a big difference for local wildlife. Let's dive into how you can make your outdoor space more wildlife-friendly, no matter how big or small.
Are you lucky to have your own garden or a space that you can cultivate? Why not consider planting in a way that will benefit local wildlife and turn it into a mini paradise for birds, bees, and butterflies? Even adding just one plant can make a big difference for local wildlife. Let's dive into how you can make your outdoor space more wildlife-friendly, no matter how big or small.
Bees
Photo Source: https://www.britannica.com/animal/bumblebee
Bee numbers have been decreasing significantly across the world over the past decades due to anthropogenic threats. Bees are a vital part of our ecosystem and are suffering from habitat loss. It’s also estimated that 75% of our diet is dependent on pollinators. You can help by planting flowers that will attract pollinators. Try to plant flowers that will blossom at different times to create a full-season bee habitat. You can also add a DIY bee box to your garden.
Plants to attract bees:
Giant Goldenrod Joe Pye Weed Serviceberry
Golden Ragwort Smooth Aster Carolina Rose
Harlequin Blue Flag Blueberry Plant Smooth Gooseberry
Butterflies
Photo Source: https://www.britannica.com/animal/monarch-butterfly
Asides being beautiful to look at, butterflies also play an important role in pollination. They are an important food source for other organisms as well. You can help promote biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem in your community by choosing butterfly-friendly plants for your garden.
Plants to attract butterflies:
Swamp Milkweed Chokecherry Purple Avens
Wild Mint Rough Fleabane Canadian Goldenrod
Common Milkweed Marsh Marigold Trailing Arbutus
Birds
Birdwatching in your garden can provide entertainment for hours. Birds also provide a range of environmental services, such as spreading seeds, distributing nutrients in their guano, and consuming insects. Hummingbirds are important pollinators as well. Along with implementing feeders with food eaten by native birds, you can choose a variety of plants to attract birds.
Plants to attract birds:
Rhodora Bearberry Manzanita Swamp Red Currant
Red Osier Dogwood Common Jewelweed Garden Phlox
Canada Lily Canadian Fly Honeysuckle Red Columbine
Remember to try and find native plants whenever possible and make sure your plants are suitable for the conditions of your garden. Always check to ensure that you are not planting invasive species. Some places to buy plants in Saint John and the surrounding area include Cedarcrest Gardens, Country Harvest, Shades of Green, and Brunswick Nurseries. Several large chain stores have garden centres as well.
Hopefully, these lists will give you a head-start on planting your wildlife-friendly garden!
Sustainable Fashion in Saint John: Tips for a More Environmentally Friendly Wardrobe
The fast fashion industry contributes directly to a variety of environmental and human rights issues. Excessive water use, production of microfibres, massive amounts of discarded clothing, high carbon emissions, and worker abuse represent a fraction of those issues. There are many ways to combat this industry while maintaining your style. Hopefully, this guide can help you reduce your consumption and reinvigorate your wardrobe.
Photo Credit: Current Boutique Website
The fast fashion industry contributes directly to a variety of environmental and human rights issues. Excessive water use, production of microfibres, massive amounts of discarded clothing, high carbon emissions, and worker abuse represent a fraction of those issues. There are many ways to combat this industry while maintaining your style. Hopefully, this guide can help you reduce your consumption and reinvigorate your wardrobe.
Repair before Repurchasing
Most people’s first instinct when their clothing has been damaged is to discard it and move on. However, there are many ways to reuse an old item before taking this step. Stained clothes can be dyed a new colour while tears can be stitched back together or covered by a fun patch. You can always look for a local tailor if you don’t have time to do the repair on your own. If the piece is truly too far gone, you can find an organization that recycles textiles or find a way to use the fabric yourself.
Take Care of Your Clothes
Clothing must be taken care of properly in order to extend its lifetime. You can avoid wear and tear by not over-washing your clothes and by using a drying rack, both of which also reduce energy costs. Cold water and eco-friendly laundry products are favourable. You may also install a micro-fibre filter on your washing machine! Heavy items should be folded and shelved to avoid stretching.
Remember What You Have
It’s sometimes easy to feel as if you “have nothing to wear”. It can be helpful to organize your clothing in a way so that everything is visible and readily accessible. When your drawers are jumbled and in layers, pieces can be forgotten. Another trick is to plan and document outfit ideas in advance. This creates excitement around outfits and makes getting ready for the day a lot smoother. It can be fun to search for fashion inspiration and try to recreate looks with what you have in your closet.
Make Your Own Clothing
The task of learning how to make your own clothing can feel daunting. However, in the age of the internet, it has never been easier. There are countless tutorials on how to crochet, knit, sew, embroider, or make jewelry. These crafts are relatively simple to begin and allow you to create one-of-a-kind pieces. It has been shown that these art forms are also great for relaxation and improving your mental health. Try your best to buy materials ethically and enjoy your new hobby while making eye-catching pieces!
Buy Ethically
Of course, we all want or need new clothes from time to time. There are many ways to be sure that you’re buying responsibly. Firstly, attempt to buy second-hand. Searching thrift stores, consignment shops and online platforms can be entertaining and a good way to curate a unique wardrobe. You can also host or attend clothing swaps. When buying new, it is best to research ethical brands and buy high-quality pieces when possible (“buy nice or buy twice”). Try to choose clothes that can be layered and worn throughout the seasons and avoid microtrends and synthetic materials. Another option is to rent clothing for one-time events.
Share this post with your friends to encourage awareness about fast fashion!