Locallectual

If you’ve been able to avoid hearing about the “Made in China” opening ceremony uniforms Team USA will be wearing during the London Olympics Opening Ceremony then you may be living under a rock as it’s been all over the internet and television. Even though this is Ralph Lauren’s practice and his company has been making the uniforms for the past few Olympics, the practice has finally gotten under many’s skin.

If you were one of the many it bothered, you can breathe a little easier knowing that Team USA gymnasts, both male and female, will be decked out in Made in the USA uniforms from…

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Love Team USA? Sure you do! The Olympics makes sports fans out of everyone, let’s be honest. And next week starts 2 weeks of 24/7 sports courtesy of NBC. If you ever read any internet news sites (or the Locallectual blog!), you’ve probably heard about the controversy surrounding the made in China Team USA uniforms from Ralph Lauren. The uproar from consumers and our reps in Washington have gotten RL to promise to produce 2014′s Winter Olympic unis in the US – GOOD JOB!

While sitting on your couch or attending an Olympic party (or at the gym if you’re really feeling inspired), you can support Team USA in an appropriate fan uniform – made in the USA apparel made just for the occasion! By supporting American manufacturing and keeping money in the US, you’re helping supporting our neighbors and our athletes. How do you think our neighbors pay for all those hours of training for their kids?

Here are some great pieces from American producers made just for the Olympic season.

Alex & Ani Team USA bracelets -made in Cranston, Rhode Island

Marine Layer Tops throwback Olympic tees – made in San Francisco Bay area, California

These pieces aren’t specially made for the Olympic season but they’re perfect for cheering on Team USA.

Jack Robie Shirts – made in New York City (PS Jack Robie, can you get your model to CALL ME, maybe??)

Chubbies ‘Merica Shorts – made in San Francisco Bay area and claims to improve every Olympic lift 45x – that’s serious!

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Amazon has been one of the biggest pains in local retail’s butts. They’ve been able to offer lower prices and cheap or free shipping and for a long time, no sales tax. The sales tax battle is changing and not in the favor of Amazon consumers or Amazon (they’re having to start charging tax in many states). However, Amazon is brushing the sales tax dirt off their shoulder and moving on to a new battle – setting up warehouses near large metropolitan centers to offer same day delivery. As Huffington Post put it, same day delivery is “the holy grail” of internet retail, with many start-ups and other retailers failing before Amazon. And if Amazon succeeds? Shopping will be changed as we know it and local retailers will be in trouble.

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Yup, that’s right! Get’em while they’re hot! U.S. News and World Report is reporting that a pound of soft shell lobster from Portland, Maine is now selling for roughly $3.79 to $4.99 per pound, which is “less than the per-pound price for bologna.” Lobster are currently in excess this season, so you can get the soft-shell crustaceans (they have a little less meat than the hard-shelled puppies but you don’t need a cracker) on the cheap. Simple economic theory of supply and demand, ya know?

So celebrate, New Englanders, and put some money in your friendly, neighborhood fisherman’s pocket. And ladies, be suspicious of men staying they’re taking you on an expensive lobster dinner!

Need some inspiration? Here are some great lobster recipes from Food & Wine for ya:…

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Honestly, I’m not sure anyone should be surprised by this, as Ralph Lauren has no commitment in place to American manufacturing. Yes, Ralph, once again has designed  Team USA’s Olympic Opening Ceremony outfits, and yes, once again they aren’t made in the United States. I say once again because he designed the Chinese-made outfits for the Vancouver ceremonies as well. Why didn’t we hear about it then? Because the good news is that in the past four years Americans have become more aware of manufacturing practices.

And what’s more, now the House and Senate are rallying against these imported uniforms. Yesterday, both Republicans and Democrats joined …

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The American mindset towards agriculture and its economics are changing and getting national notice. You can thank the debate over the Farm Bill for this, along with other factors at play, making it the perfect atmosphere to change our agriculture model. Baby boomers, who make up a large portion of our current farmer population, are retiring… 

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illiams-Sonoma started in duh, Sonoma, California, in the 1950s and has since expanded its empire across the US. The fine culinary goods store supports American producers like All-Clad and Nordic Ware, and has expanded its product line in recent years to include foodstuffs from artisan producers.

This season it’s gone a step further, expanding its product line to help you, the at-home foodie, expand your food production beyond the stove top. 

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We always try to feature those more famous members of society that are into the locavore movement because a) we want to show that it’s becoming a universal movement and b) it’s not just for the crunchy, hippy members of society (seriously people, buying local is so hot right now). So today’s feature is extremely timely as last week this celebrity athlete just qualified for her third Olympic games.

Natalie Coughlin was the most decorated female athlete at both the 2004 Athens and the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has a lifetime total of 11 Olympic medals. Besides being one of the most talented athletes in the world, Coughlin is also a big locavore

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