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Allied Florists of Houston

The Association of Professional Florists

Flowers Go Green

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What is the difference between organic and sustainable?

Organic agriculture refers to crop production practices that build soil fertility and control pests without reliance on dangerous farm chemicals.

In addition to addressing issues of how crops are grown, sustainable agriculture takes into consideration protections for surrounding wildlife and habitats, efficient use of water, energy, and packaging materials, reductions in greenhouse gases and wastes, and fair labor and good neighbor practices within the community.

SOURCE:  www.veriflora.org


Organic flower production uses natural materials to control pests. Sustainable production incorporates environmentally and socially responsible practices with a broader range of criteria.

SOURCE:  SAF

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New SAF Sustainability Resources Web Page Will Keep SAF Members In the Know

• What do we mean by "sustainability" in the floral industry?

• Is it the same as "certification" ... or "organic"?

• What's happening with the proposed national standards?

• How are companies acting on this information?

These are just a few of the topics covered on SAF's new Sustainability Resources Web page

"Everyone's touting their 'eco-credentials' these days. It's important to understand, and be able to talk about, sustainable agriculture — because you can expect to get more questions about where and how flowers are grown and where this industry fits on the 'green scale,'" says SAF's CEO Peter Moran.

SAF has collected all of its information, news and other resources related to sustainability and the environment in one place so that members can find the answers they need quickly and easily.

The new Web page includes answers to frequently-asked questions, links to organizations involved in the standards-development process and certification programs, the latest  "green" news stories from E-brief and other SAF publications, and up-to-date information on the progress of the proposed ANSI National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture. The contents will be updated regularly as new information and news is available.

For more information visit www.safnow.org/sustainability.

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What's the purpose of current floriculture certification programs? 

Growers are striving every day to operate in a sustainable way. Certification programs help provide guidelines and standards for environmental and social responsibility for flower growers around the world. 

There are many certification, or labeling, programs available to flower growers. Some, such as FlorVerde, Flor Ecuador and the Green Label Program, have been in existence for many years. Others, such as Veriflora, are newer programs.

These certification programs are monitored and audited by independent verification companies to ensure compliance. Each program has its own auditable parameters, but environmental stewardship and social responsibility are the common elements.

The certification process takes time and money, and it is a choice for each individual grower. Some growers chose to be certified and some do not. However -- because environmental and social responsibility is good business -- just because a farm isn't certified doesn't necessarily mean it is not practicing sustainability. Many non-certified farms voluntarily observe the same standards as those that are certified.

SOURCE:  SAF

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Florverde® is a unique certification to ensure all flowers grown and harvested in Colombia meet specific social and environmental standards. This program was started ten years ago by a forward looking group of Colombian flower growers to insist on a common level of best practices that would improve the lives and living standards of all floral farm workers and their families. In addition to establishing social benchmarks, Florverde® standards preserve and protect the rich soil and natural resources for the industry's farmers for generations to come and satisfy global demand and desire for high-quality, affordable flowers year round. In 2003, independent verification by SGS Group, a global leader in inspection, verification, testing and certification, was implemented to assure our customers and consumers that these standards were being met.

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January 24, 2007 — The Colombian Association of Flower Exporters, Asocolflores, is proud to announce the 10-year anniversary of Florverde®. Florverde® is a unique certification program created by Asocolflores to improve Colombian workers' quality of life and to ensure Colombian-grown flowers meet specific environmental standards.

Today, approximately three-fourths of all cut flowers imported into the U.S. — two billion stems — come from Colombia.

"The Colombian flower industry has made significant advancements since the creation of the Florverde® certification. Today, the Florverde® label is recognized among commercial flower buyers in the United States and Europe as assurance that our flowers have been grown in compliance with social, environmental, labor, and occupational health and safety standards," said Asocolflores Chairman of the Board Ernesto Velez.

To mark the 10th anniversary, a new web site will be launched in February of this year. Florverde.org will educate growers, buyers and the public about Florverde's standards and guidelines and make additional certification information readily available.

"The Colombian flower industry is committed to increasing the number of growers that are Florverde®-certified," said Vélez. "This website will act as a resource to wholesalers, retailers and others in the distribution chain looking for information on the Florverde® label." Currently, more than 165 Colombian farms participate in the Florverde® program, representing half of the cultivated area in the country.

The Florverde® certification and standards were developed by Asocolflores a decade ago as a way to improve the lives and living standards of floral farm workers and their families; to preserve and protect the environment for the industry's farmers for generations to come; and to ensure high-quality, affordable flowers for consumers year-round. In order to receive Florverde® certification, participating farms must comply with all compulsory standards and codes of conduct, including operational and social guidelines. Certification is verified by an independent third party, SGS, a renowned international audit company based in Switzerland.

One of the most compelling aspects of Florverde® is its focus on the health and welfare of the Colombian worker. Florverde's stringent workplace standards are designed to improve the lives of Colombian workers by providing social programs that support workers and their families, fostering a system that facilitates personal and professional growth and opportunity, and by creating and maintaining a safe work environment.

Environmental standards and care and handling measures defined by Florverde® represent safe, sustainable floriculture and yield an abundant supply of beautiful flowers that are available throughout the year. Florverde® certified farms operate consistently with U.S. regulations for the application and use of agricultural chemicals. Workers are educated and trained in the safe use of these chemicals and provided safety equipment appropriate to the job task — ranging from protective clothing and gloves, to equipment that is ergonomically beneficial, to showers on site. In addition to training programs, Florverde® farms also implement risk analysis, emergency plans and oversight committees comprised of both management and workers to protect employees from chemical exposure and work-related injuries.

Florverde® also encourages overall improvement in the Colombian floriculture industry by offering farms not yet involved with Florverde® the opportunity to participate and work toward certification. Through ongoing communication, Florverde® works with farms to diagnose specific needs and then implement a plan to meet those needs — whether through capital improvement or specific social programs — and achieve certification.

Americans typically spend $20 billion per year on flowers and plants. With more than 50 types of flowers grown in Colombia, it is the largest supplier of fresh cut flowers to the United States.

Source:  www.florverde.org

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BOGOTA, Colombia, Feb 12, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/
Florverde Flower Farm Certification Marks Eleven Years of Progress

Long before many industries jumped aboard the "going green" trend, Asocolflores, the Colombian flower growers' trade association, quietly began to positively change the environmental and social practices of flower farms through a rigorous farm certification program called Florverde. Established in 1996 under the Spanish name meaning "green flowers," Florverde was created with a vision to lead the flower industry and improve practices by establishing and regulating a set of social and environmental standards as well as a code of conduct. Today more than 171 farms, comprising over half of the acreage devoted to growing flowers in Colombia, have qualified for, or are in the process of qualifying for, Florverde (R: 58.36, +0.75, +1.30%) certification.

"Florverde improves the lives and living standards of floral farm workers and their families; helps to preserve and protect the environment for generations to come; and ensures high-quality, affordable flowers for consumers year-round," said Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores. "We are incredibly proud of our progress over the past eleven years and are more committed than ever before to lead the flower industry by example."

Florverde Meets and Exceeds International Standards

One of the key goals of Florverde is to reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals and pesticides through the use of sustainable agricultural practices including biological and natural controls. When it's necessary to use chemical pest controls, Colombia has clear and stringent regulations on products used and promotes safe practices in the handling and application of these products. Florverde (R: 58.36, +0.75, +1.30%) farms only use products that are duly registered with the Colombian Agriculture Institute and licensed by the Ministry of Health and registered for use in the United States and European Union (EU). Workers are educated and trained in the safe use of these chemicals and provided appropriate safety equipment.

Florverde Certification a Stringent Process

There is no provision for partial certification. To be certified Florverde, farms must comply with all compulsory standards, including operational and social guidelines. Two auditors spend three days, a day and a half each on social and environmental issues, on an average farm during the certification review. Compliance to the broad and rigorous Florverde standards is verified by SGS, a renowned international audit company based in Switzerland. SGS is a leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, widely recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 46,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world. Certified farms are re-inspected annually by SGS and submit quarterly reports.

The Florverde Vision

While the accomplishments under Florverde are celebrated in Colombia and worldwide, those overseeing the successes strive for more.

"We will continue our efforts to educate and certify more flower farms in Colombia," said Solano. "The Florverde program and standards have become a way of normal operations in our farms, an essential part of their business culture. We are able to provide so many opportunities to the people of our country and to help sustain the environment in the process." The Florverde certification is also an assurance to our customers and the consumer that our flowers are grown under sustainable production practices by workers whose lives are enhanced and protected through our social initiatives.

SOURCE Colombian Association of Flower Exporters

For more information visit ~ www.florverde.org

Source:  www.foxbusiness.com

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We've all heard of "sustainability". But what exactly does it mean? Sustainability refers to the ability to "meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."¹ When it comes to consumer products, sustainability addresses a full range of product quality, social responsibility and environmental protection issues. As consumers, when we choose sustainable products, we are sending a strong signal that these issues matter to us.

The VeriFlora certification program was established to provide stringent sustainability performance standards for growers and handlers of cut flowers and potted plants. It empowers each of us to stand up for sustainability standards that encompass all of the important issues, and to support the farmers and businesses who are making sustainability a reality.

Elements of Sustainability

The VeriFlora program establishes criteria in the following key areas:

Environmental Sustainability Sustainable Crop Production Resource Conservation and Energy Efficiency Ecosystem Protection Integrated Waste Management

Social & Economic Sustainability Fair Labor Practices Community Benefits Product Integrity Product Quality Product Safety

What Makes VeriFlora Unique?

VeriFlora is unique among sustainability certification programs for fresh cut flowers and potted plants in several respects:

• It establishes significant greenhouse gas reduction and energy efficiency goals to make sure that growers and handlers are doing their part to tackle some of the most difficult challenges of our time.
• It requires growers to develop a plan for converting to organic pest management and soil fertility practices, creating a unified path for organic and sustainable agriculture.
• It actively steers farmers away from potentially harmful agrochemical usage.
• It contains extensive ecosystem, water quality protection, and resource conservation measures to protect the ecology for generations to come.
• It creates a climate of cooperation with workers, their families and communities.
• It applies to everyone in the supply chain, including not only growers, but shippers, distributors, and retailers as well.

For more information visit ~ www.veriflora.org

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La Flor de Ecuador (The Flower of Ecuador)

Created by Expoflores, the Association of Producers and Exporters of Flowers in Ecuador, La Flor de Ecuador is a continuous improvement program for the flower farms in Ecuador. Its objective is to conserve the environment, develop and respect the social welfare and personal growth of farm employees, keep proper documentation/files for profitable business management, support and promote anti-drug control, and reduce costs through rational pesticide/chemical usage while maintaining a competitive environment for Ecuadorian flower farms.

Worker Health/Treatment/Social Issues
*Labor, Health, and Training

Pesticide/Chemical Usage
* Management of soil and fertilization
* Management of pesticides/chemicals
* Management of pests and diseases
 
Environmental Conservation
* Management of water and irrigation
* Management of solid and liquid waste
* Landscaping

For more information visit ~ La Flor de Ecuador

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BloomNet® "Florists for Forests^sm"

A Better World is Blooming
Every time you buy Fair Trade Certified flowers, your purchase contributes to the well-being of flower workers around the world. When you see the Fair Trade Certified label on bouquets, you can be sure that your purchase will help put nutritious food on people's tables, send their children to school, and help them to invest in community development.

True Sustainability
Fair Trade is an innovative business model that certifies that the products you buy are part of an equitable system of trade that produces real improvements in the lives of millions of people around the world. By creating the conditions for communities to become genuine participants in global trade, communities can build truly sustainable environmental, economic, and social practices. A portion of every purchase you make goes directly to a community development fund for workers, who collectively decide how to use the money. Projects have included scholarships for children, housing, and micro-enterprises. Best of all, Fair Trade Certified growers are caring and careful stewards of the land, increasing the use of natural pest controls and reducing water and energy use, so that their children and their children's children will be able to live healthy, fruitful lives.

Raising the Bar for Quality
Fair Trade not only improves lives, it improves the quality of products. Fair Trade Certified products have consistently rated among the highest for quality and taste. And Fair Trade Certified flowers are no exception. Some of the world's most dramatically beautiful flowers are produced on Fair Trade farms, by people who take pride in the quality of their products because they've been given the opportunity to earn a fair share of the rewards.

Empowering Women Worldwide
Over 90% of gift flowers in the US are given to women. In addition to fair wages, Fair Trade certification requires the farms provide employee benefits including 12 weeks paid marternity leave and childcare. In response to the required guidelines, some Fair Trade Certified flower farms have given many supervisory positions to women, which represents an enormous shift. Thanks to your purchase of Fair Trade Certified flowers, women worldwide have the opportunity to equal access of employment.

Behind the Label
TransFair USA is the only independent, non-profit certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. In addition to flowers, TransFair USA certifies coffee, tea, herbs, cocoa, sugar, vanilla, rice, and fruit.

Fair Trade Flowers Program Overview

Good for growers & workers . . .

• Fair wages
• Childcare and schooling for their children
• Paid maternity, vacation and sick leave
• A premium of between 8 and 12% of each sale to invest in community development
• Training to implement development projects of their choosing including scholarships, microlending, adult literacy and gardens to feed their families
• Protective gear and training on safe handling of agrochemicals

Growers are able to attract and keep the best workers because of these benefits, leading to better productivity and better flower quality. More than 30 of the highest quality growers in Ecuador, Colombia and Africa are Fair Trade Certified, producing more than a billion stems every year in hundreds of the hottest varieties.

Good for the environment

• Reduce water and energy usage
• Protect watersheds and wildlife habitat
• Employ organic farming practices where possible

Good for your business

• 33% annual growth in consumer awareness since 2003
• High purchase conversion: 56% of those aware of Fair Trade also purchase it, compared to just 30% for organic.

Proven Success in Europe

• 50% of all roses sold in Switzerland are Fair Trade Certified
• Sales of private label roses tripled at Kesko (850 stores) in Finland after converting the line to Fair Trade Certified
• 97% of Swiss consumers stated Fair Trade flowers were of equal or better quality than the norm

For further information visit:  Fair Trade Certified Flowers

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your assurance of Professional Quality and Service.

Allied Florists of Houston
c/o Taylor Wholesale Florist
1601 West 21st Street
Houston, TX 77008
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