LAWRENCE: Living Local Expo broadens its focus

When Carmen Roman finished her shift at Anchor House Saturday morning, she noticed a flyer on the table promoting the Living Local Expo Fair at the New Jersey Army National Guard Armory on Eggerts Crossing Road.

I saw the flyer on the table. They were getting ready to put it on the (bulletin board). This is the first time I have come (to the expo). I literally just got off work, said Ms. Roman, who lives in West Trenton with her family.

I am extremely interested in the environment. I want to save the planet. Im concerned about healthy eating. I am becoming more mindful of what we eat. I want to learn more about irrigation. I want to grow a small organic garden, Ms. Roman said.

Ms. Roman was one of a steady stream of visitors to the 7th annual Living Local Expo Fair, despite the rainy day. The event was co-sponsored by Sustainable Lawrence, along with the green teams from Hopewell, Ewing and Lawrence townships and the Mercer County Office of Sustainable Development.

The fair has grown every year, said Tahirih Smith, president of Sustainable Lawrences board of directors. Four years ago, there were 28 vendors. Saturday afternoon, more than 80 companies and nonprofit groups had set up shop to inform visitors of what they had to offer.

Visitors who were interested in replacing old windows with new ones could stop by booths that featured new windows, as well as vendors who showcased new insulation. Of course, there were vendors who were willing to help homeowners make some upgrades to their heating and air conditioning systems.

Another booth featured information on rain barrels, which are attached to rain gutter downspouts. They collect water that can be used in the garden. A garden could use as much as 1,400 gallons of water during the April-to-September growing season.

Other exhibitors offered services that ranged from organic dry cleaning to environmentally sensitive cosmetics. Acknowledging that some households prefer to use disposable paper goods, Green Paper Cup offered disposable utensils, plates, napkins, bowls and cups that when disposed of properly would convert into compost within 80 days.

At a nearby table, Lawrence Township set up a booth that sought to raise awareness of its proposed curbside organic pickup program. Households that dispose of organic material food scraps, paper towels and napkins and biodegradable forks, knives, plates and spoons could see it turn into compost.

Off to the side in a large garage at the National Guard Armory, there was an exhibit of green cars that ranged from a turbo-diesel Chevrolet Cruze that stickered for about $27,000, to a Chevrolet Volt gasoline/electric car at about $40,000 and a couple of Lexus hybrid vehicles all the way up to the Tesla all-electric car that starts at around $80,000.

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LAWRENCE: Living Local Expo broadens its focus