Shopping with local businesses keeps the money you spend circulating in your local community. It’s a good way to support the economy around you, to help out small independent businesses and to find food that’s locally grown or produced.

Throughout the city, there are lots of new ways to shop in ways that can benefit your community, your health and the environment.

There are farmers markets and local food markets popping up throughout the city too – from the Riverside Farmers Market which has been going since 1998, to new spaces like the Corp Market in Canton.

On the high street we’re seeing new refill shops growing in popularity – Siop Sero in Roath and Rhiwbina is a good example – where you can pick up good value loose dry and frozen food and cleaning products. Filling your own containers means less packaging and you can buy as much as you need.

If you’re eating out, it helps to support businesses which are also helping their communities – places like Oasis Cardiff, a community organisation helping refugees and asylum seekers which also runs a catering and street food business. And many of our local hospitality businesses are doing their bit – look out for places which are sourcing produce locally, paying the Living Wage and have environmental standards like the Green Key.

If you’re running a business, these are the actions you can take to make a difference. Paying the Living Wage helps to ensure more people in the city can afford to eat well, sourcing locally keeps transport to a minimum and supports the economy around you, and joining recognised environmental accreditation schemes can help to inspire others to follow your example.