Green Living
Where to Find Fair Trade Flowers For Any Special Occasion
Fair trade flowers are a thoughtful way to brighten up a loved one’s day and their space while also ensuring that the people growing those flowers were respected along the way, too.
Why Choose Fair Trade Flowers?
If you’re purchasing flowers in the United States chances are you’re purchasing imported flowers, as they make up an estimated 90% of the market. These imported flowers are probably from either Colombia or Ecuador where workers regularly face labor exploitation and are often underpaid.
According to International Labor Rights Forum’s “Fairness in Flowers” campaign, 55% of flower workers in Ecuador have experienced some form of sexual harassment and 20% of flower workers in 2000 were children.
While conditions in Colombia are reportedly not as severe as in Ecuador, workers are regularly fired when discovered to be pregnant and the majority of flower workers are paid poverty-level wages, earning less in an entire day than what a typical single bouquet costs to purchase.
Additionally, workers on flower plantations in South America and elsewhere are often denied the rights to organize and bargain collectively for better wages and conditions by companies that (illegally) blacklist and fire workers who organize. The practice of third-party subcontracting — which reduces transparency and company accountability — also contributes to labor injustices, despite the introduction of stronger labor laws.
It’s clear the the current paradigm is failing flower workers — it’s time for a fairer flower industry.
Types of Fair Trade Flower Certifications
This certification ensures that the flowers were sourced from farms that meet stringent labor standards, plus the business or importer using the Fair Trade Certified
The Fairtrade mark is a certification from Fairtrade International. There are a few different types of Fairtrade marks so it can get confusing! Essentially the mark with the black background recognizes an entire product as Fairtrade certified and the mark with the white background recognizes a particular ingredient within the product as Fairtrade certified.
Products with the Fairtrade mark have been independently audited and checked for compliance with Fairtrade International’s economic, social and environmental standards.
5 Places with Fair Trade Flowers
Now that there’s a clear backdrop of why choosing fair trade flowers matters, let’s dive into where you can find these ethically sourced flowers!
1. Whole Foods Whole Trade Flowers
Where to Buy: Whole Foods locations across the US and Canada or through Amazon Prime in select zip codes.
Whole Trade® is the label from Whole Foods guaranteeing ethical sourcing from third-party Fair Trade certifiers. This “Whole Trade Guarantee” is a commitment to ethical trade (fair wages and good working conditions), ecological responsibility, and investments in community development.
2. Arena Flowers
Where to Buy: Online for delivery within the UK
“The UK’s most ethical florist”, Arena Flowers has a collection of ethically-grown roses and other flowers sourced from a range of Fairtrade certified farms in Kenya.
These farms have been using the Fairtrade premiums for ecological sustainability, water efficiency, and educational projects.
3. Sense Ecuador
Where to Buy: Online for delivery within the US or Ecuador
Based in Florida, Sense Ecuador is a socially and environmentally conscious business with premium fair trade roses. Their elegant roses are sourced from Hoja Verde Farm and are Fair Trade Certified
The flower marketplace also offers speciality floral bouquets and boutonnieres for weddings or other events.
4. Bloomingmore
Where to buy: Online for delivery within the US
Bloomingmore has been partnering with farmers for over a decade, delivering sustainable flowers grown in the Americas and Europe across the United States..
The flower retailer has a beautiful selection of fair trade roses, and claims that their fresh flowers last twice as long as flowers purchased from the market.
5. Co-op
Where to Buy: Available in Co-op stores throughout the UK
UK-based food retailer Co-op is owned by millions of members, making it one of the world’s largest co-operatives. With a foundational commitment to equity and solidarity, all of the roses Co-op sources from Africa are Fairtrade certified. Co-op makes up a significant share of the market, purchasing 35 million Fairtrade roses per year!
More Ways to Get Involved With a Fairer Flower Industry
Engage with flower companies
Talk with your neighborhood florist or to the flower companies you typically purchase from (like 1-800-FLOWERS) and voice your concerns with the flower industry and tell them that you care about these issues. Ask them what they’re doing to ensure their flowers were sourced ethically.
Shop for local flowers
Look for flowers at farmer’s markets from local farms (who you know follow sustainable and ethical practices) or maybe you can even cut flowers from your own garden for a bouquet.
Floret Flowers can be a great resource for finding local-to-you farms with in-season and even organic flowers. I used this directory to find a locally-grown bouquet for my wedding day!
You May Also Want to Check Out:
Ethical Gifts for Everyone On Your List
Consciously-Sourced Gifts for Mom
Sustainable Valentine’s Day Gifts for Every Love Language
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