Shopping locally during these challenging times keeps our local economy going, and in that sense helps sustain our community. 
You might want to order take-out from your favorite restaurant (see a list on the Newton Needham Chamber’s Shop Local page) or see which stores offer curbside pick-up. For gardening supplies, check out the websites of the Needham Garden Center, Hillcrest Gardens, and Volante Farms to see how you can purchase items while observing social distancing.
Additionally, you can help local restaurants and our neighbors with food insecurity by purchasing a $25 gift card online from a local restaurant and donating it to the Needham Community Council, which assists local families in need. See details. Send the online gift certificate/cards to giftcard@needhamcommunitycouncil.org.
Green Needham encourages residents especially to support local businesses that have chosen to adopt sustainable practices, thus encouraging and rewarding businesses who have taken steps that lead to a greener community. We would like to give special recognition to several local businesses that are in the vanguard of adopting sustainable business practices, for example installing smart energy lighting or sourcing ingredients locally. Here are a few examples of such local businesses, who also have participated in Green Needham Collaborative’s “Go Green Needham” campaign:
— Volante Farms has installed solar panels, a rainwater collection system, and has developed an energy efficient greenhouse. Their farmstand and greenhouse are open for online orders and curbside pick-up.
— Hearth Pizzeria has installed energy efficient lighting and takes care to purchase its ingredients from local sources when possible. You can order online and arrange for curbside pick-up or delivery, and gift cards are available.
— Needham Farmers Market, scheduled to open in June, provides an excellent opportunity to feed ourselves more sustainably with locally grown produce.
Consider supporting these and other local businesses which have made a commitment to acting sustainably.
