The prizes are small and just a bit of fun. The real aim of the game is to build upon the work done by the New Economic Foundation on “the local multiplier effect”. Money spent with locally owned and run businesses is likely to stay in our local economy longer.
Food loop is designed to test this by encouraging local businesses to participate in the process and demonstrate that they are managing to re-spend their customer player’s money with other local suppliers. When they do this those customers playing the game get additional points.
If we can get that re-spend up to 66% we can triple the amount of cash in our local economy. At 75% re-spend the original amount is quadrupled, which means there is twice as much money moving around the local economy as usual. That’s the big prize that we are all aiming for.
Over time we expect that positive feedback like this will encourage more local businesses to source and spend locally, wherever possible.
For anyone who is interested in joining the game there is a website and a Facebook Group where you can find out more and register to get involved.
Dawn has pledge to re-spend her prize money on more delicious local food and drink.