East Gippsland businesses encourage buying locally

Businesses in East Gippsland, still reeling from the impacts of recent fires, are urging locals to spend money in the town as COVID-19 forces visitors to stay away.

Clean helping hand: Bianca Ward runs Nicholson River Soaps from her property at Nicholson in Gippsland. Picture: Dannika Bonser

EAST Gippsland businesses are urging their community members to shop locally as a lack of tourism due to coronavirus compounds with the lasting effects of recent bushfires.

East Gippsland Marketing Inc marketing manager Hayley Hardy said many traders were relying on visitors over Easter to help boost the economy after the fires, but would now suffer even more.

“Now more than ever, we are encouraging locals not just to shop locally, but to buy products that are grown or produced right here in East Gippsland,” Ms Hardy said.

“We have a long list of local producers, from bakers and chocolate makers to honey producers, winemakers and free-range egg producers, who are making great products right here in our region”.

One local producer joining the cause is Bianca Ward from Nicholson River Soaps in Bairnsdale, who is encouraging locals to keep one thing in mind when shopping during the pandemic.

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“We are really asking the local community to continue to support each other, simply by asking themselves, ‘OK what do I need, and can I get this from a local producer or trader?’” she said.

“If everyone starts asking themselves this question before they buy; I think we will start seeing a real up-tick in the local economy.”

Among other businesses getting on board the campaign are Forge Creek Free Range, who are donating a portion of their sales to a local community group, and David Lucke’s Fresh Food Market, offering a good supply of fresh produce as well as a calm and welcoming shopping experience.