When we launched Buy'r, we hoped it would help people make more informed choices. But the Johnson family from Portland, Oregon went above and beyond—transforming their entire approach to shopping. We sat down with them to learn how.
Meet the Johnsons
Mike and Sarah Johnson, along with their two kids (Emma, 12, and Jake, 9), started using Buy'r in January. Like many families, they assumed they were already making conscious choices.
"We bought organic, we looked for the little green leaf logos," Sarah explains. "But when we scanned our pantry for the first time, we were shocked. Almost everything traced back to like five companies."
The Wake-Up Call
Their initial Pantry Tracking report showed:
- 87 products in their kitchen
- Only 8 true parent corporations
- Nestlé products: 23% of their pantry
- Corporate Diversity Score: 34/100
"The thing that really got me," Mike says, "was seeing brands I thought were independent—like that fancy organic pasta sauce—turn out to be owned by Unilever. It felt like a betrayal."
The Challenge
The family set a goal: increase their Corporate Diversity Score to 75 within three months. Here's how they did it:
- Scan before buying - The kids became "official scanners" at the grocery store, making it a game
- Farmers market first - They shifted 40% of produce purchases to local vendors
- Swap one item per week - Each week, they'd replace one mega-corp product with an independent alternative
- Make more from scratch - Simple things like salad dressing and granola became family cooking projects
The Results
After three months:
- Corporate Diversity Score: 78/100 (up from 34)
- Mega-corp products: Down from 76% to 36%
- Local/independent products: Up from 12% to 41%
- Monthly grocery spending: Actually down 8%
"The surprise was that we're spending less," Sarah notes. "Buying direct from producers, making things ourselves, not falling for fancy packaging—it all adds up."
Advice for Others
The Johnsons' tips for families starting their journey:
- "Make it a game for kids" - Emma and Jake now compete to find the most independent brands
- "Don't try to change everything at once" - One swap per week is sustainable
- "It's okay to keep some favorites" - The family still buys some Nestlé products; the goal is awareness, not perfection
- "Talk to store managers" - They've requested their local grocery stock more independent brands
Want to share your Buy'r journey? Email us at community@buyr.app for a chance to be featured.
