At the bottom of this post you'll find a list of contacts that was provided to me by Kazuko Golden of TransFairUSA. Kazuko leads TransFairUSA's group trying to develop and promote sources of Fair Trade cut flowers in the US.
As we've noted in past posts, the US is way behind Europe, where an increasing percentage of cut flowers are Fair Trade certified. (Half of the roses sold in Switzerland are FTC.) Every retail florist that begins to sell Fair Trade Certified/Organic cut flowers becomes part of a larger, crucial effort to educate the US public about sustainability - economic and environmental. This will be a transitional process that will surely gather momentum, just as the Fair Trade movement has gained traction in the coffee market. Aside from being the manifestly right thing to do, I am sure that it will also prove to be profitable for retail florists as our customers become more knowledgeable. It is an easy step to take from comprehending fair trade related to food and coffee to cut flowers.
Our experience in selling FTC gifts in our shops in Teaneck (a moderately progressive, but by no means radical town) is that our patrons have generally heard of Fair Trade, even if they cannot articulate a complete definition. They like and admire the idea, and have expressed a preference to buy fair trade when there is a choice. This can be one more reason to come to your retail florist as opposed to buying flowers at the local supermarket or Costco.
(As I write this, I am watching a woman crossing the street in front of our store, holding a ready-made bouquet she bought at the local butcher shop...) We're in a tough business.
If you're ever in the NY/NJ metro area, please visit us at our shops:
Encke Flowers
281 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck
or Tiger Lily
569 Cedar Lane, Teaneck
If you're ever in the NY/NJ metro area, please visit us at our shops:
Encke Flowers
281 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck
or Tiger Lily
569 Cedar Lane, Teaneck
Anyway, here's the list:
Jessica Bergna
EcoFlowers/Organic Bouquet
http://www.ecoflowers.com/
jbergna@ecoflowers.com
Edin Maslesa
Fall River Florist Supply
Direct Line 508-742-1846
Mobile 781-956-5012
Fax 508-672-1433
http://www.fallriverfloristsupply.com/
Perez, Sharon M.
World Flowers, USA Incorporated
przshar@aol.com
(863) 214-5202
Alaina Paradise
One World Flowers, Incorporated
aparadise@oneworldflowers.org
(505) 304-7458
Mr. Diego PadronAsociación de Comercio Equitativo
0-11-593 2 2441113
drpadron@hotmail.com
Hortensia Ulvrri
InBloom Group LLC
(305) 436-0030
hortensia@inbloomgroup.com
