I went to Jamaica Plain to learn about small businesses on February 23.
At first, I didn’t know about small businesses, and this was the first time I learned that the stores in Jamaica Plain do small business. According to the director who introduced us to many small business stores, the stores around Jamaica Plain are run by locals who help each other sell local foods and products. I also learned that they reduce the number of parking spaces to reduce air pollution and reduce the number of people who come by car. In addition, I visited a bakery, a grocery store, a toy store, a store selling healthy foods, and a vintage clothing store.
Unlike chain stores, small businesses are small and often have low incomes and are challenging to work with. However, since they focus on selling locally produced goods, I think they can support each other and revitalize the local community. I also learned that in addition to helping the local community, they also help developing countries such as Africa because they fair trade chocolate and coffee beans. This can be used as a solution to poverty, which is the theme of our presentation.
I was most surprised and impressed by the community refrigerator during this field trip. A community refrigerator is a wonderful thing where people who live nearby can put food they don’t need in a refrigerator, and people in need in the town can get that food for free. I think this system is earth-friendly because it can reduce food loss. I also think it is kind to people because it reduces hunger by helping those who need food.
I often visited Jamaica Plain, but I didn’t know they do small business, so I’m happy to know this. Also, I would like to walk to Jamaica Plain again because there are still many stores I want to visit. I’m also wondering where the clothes that were not sold at the vintage clothing store, we visited on the field trip are donated to. Finally, you can buy organic vegetables and fair-trade coffee beans in the grocery stores, so I recommend Jamaica Plain for people who like healthy food and are interested in coffee. Also, there are a lot of shops, so I also recommend Jamaica Plain to anyone who wants shopping.
Haruka Yamamoto