Sending Flowers For Valentine's Day? Go Local, or Make Them Organic

For Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries or other special occasions, giving flowers often seems like a gift from Mother Nature herself.

But when flowers are doused in pesticides and transported long (i.e., energy-intensive) distances, their eco-appeal quickly evaporates. The health impact conventionally-grown flowers has makes them even less desirable.

Consider this: Seventy percent of U.S. flowers are imported from Latin America, where growers in Columbia, Ecuador and other countries use pesticides that have long been banned in the U.S. A 2002 survey of 8,000 Colombian flower workers revealed exposure to 25 carcinogenic or highly toxic pesticides that are not used in the United States.

Often, women flower growers suffer impaired vision, asthma, and miscarriage or give birth to babies marked by lower birth weights and higher blood pressure. Thirty-five out of 72 Ecuadoran children tested by the Harvard School of Public Health experienced organophosphate pesticides in the womb while their mothers grew flowers. These children later suffered both higher blood pressure and poorer spatial ability than kids who escaped prenatal exposures. Overall, according to a study by the International Labor Rights Fund (ILRF), two-thirds of Colombian and Ecuadorian flower workers suffer work-related health problems ranging from impaired vision and neurological problems Some women give birth to stillborn infants, or see their children die within a month after birth.

Meanwhile, the International Labor Organization estimates that 20 percent of flower workers in Ecuador are children, who are more vulnerable to chemical hazards than adults because their immune systems and vital organs are still immature. According to Environmental News Network, roses can contain as much as 50 times the amount of pesticides that are legally allowed on the food we eat. The U.S. requires imported flowers to be bug-free, but unlike edible fruits and vegetables they are not tested for chemical residues. So even if you’re not growing these flowers yourselves, you may still be bringing the chemicals used on them into your home.

Fortunately, shoppers have a whole bouquet of alternatives to conventionally grown flowers and plants.

• Buy local – Check www.localharvest.org to find flower growers in your area, who can use less pesticides and less energy to get flowers to your door. Farmers markets also sell flowers, greens and plants that can make wonderful botanical gifts.

• Buy certified organic flowers. Some options to look for:

  Veriflora requires organic farming practices, ecosystem protection, minimal energy use and packaging, and fair labor and community development practices.

Organic Bouquet $49.95/dozen roses; 877-899-2468

Manic Organics Flowers $79.95/dozen red roses; 678-377-8258

Diamond Organics organic flower sampler of 16-18 stems $59; tropical flower bouquet $49 for 8 stems (in season); 888-ORGANIC).

California OrganicFlowers grows flowers in season; Anemones, Protea, Narcissus and Dutch iris are available now through March for $44.95; 530-891-6265.

1-800-Flowers Fair Trade certified sweetheart roses, 36 stems, $44.99.

The Sun Valley Group Lillies, tulips, hyacinths and freesias; available wholesale and from a limited number of local retailers; 800-747-0396.

Storefronts: Whole Foods, food coops, natural food stores and other responsible retailers are increasingly carrying organically grown flowers and plants. If you don’t see them when you shop, ask for them.

Beware Florverde: Colombia's flower exporters trade association says it certifies its members for improving worker safety and welfare. Nevertheless, almost 40 percent of the toxic chemicals applied by Florverde farms in 2005 were listed as extremely or highly toxic by the World Health Organization. If you needd to buy flowers, choose those that are certified organic or sold under the Veriflora label.

Comments

[buy valentine's flowers philippines]

I think the best thinks you give to your loved this coming valentine's is flower like this one very cute and its looks very romantic.

vee

[International Labor Rights Forum]

Why not take one step more and be even greener this valentine's day?

The International Labor Rights Forum has several ways that you can be Eco and worker friendly this year

Learn more about the cut-flower industry
http://www.laborrights.org/files/Flowerstoolkit08.pdf.

Check out our Eco-friendly flower buying guide
http://www.laborrights.org/creating-a-sweatfree-world/fairness-in-flowers/resources/1902

Deliver a letter to your florist
http://www.laborrights.org/files/Vday-letter-businesses.pdf

[Diane MacEachern]

Thanks for the suggestions! I especially like the letter to the florist.

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Great advice,Thanks for sharing your suggestion,Glad I've found your site.

-Ashley

[My Blog On Flowers]

This was great reading on flowers for the day.

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Oh! I was fascinated by your Roses. it's looks beautiful and very attractive. thanks also for sharing this post. and giving your advice.keep it up!

-ashlene-

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What a lovely rose!Perfect gift to all women.

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I would go choose organic,its stay alive in a longer time than local flower.Perfect for this coming mother's day.

-Ava

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Awesome, such a nice red roses. looks very attractive, anyways as they said. flowers is one of the best gift in any other occasions, i could only agree with that..people rather choose flowers than to others. in terms of gifts. so i will go with the flow. thanks for sharing this, you give me some ideas. keep it up!

-khatie-

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Thanks for these idea, but I want to send flowers for my mom. I'm gonna try some of these.

-fern-

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I just wanna ask if you also make a delivery for that organic flowers even in other country? My dad asked me to send flowers to Jamaica. Just asking. Thanks.

-fern-

[Flowers Philippines]

The rose that you have posted was a perfect gift for your love one.Organic or Local it's up to you,but for me,I would go for organic..I just wanted to share the meaning of rose:
Rose, red -- Love
Rose, pink -- Grace, beauty
Rose, yellow -- Friendship

chris

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Shopping locally is something that everyone should do as much as possible. There are so many benefits!

[Johnny Ancich]

[CARTOON] Valentine's Day
http://pastexpiry.blogspot.com/2010/02/cartoon-valentines-day.html

[philippines flower]

Lovely flower! Thanks for blogging about this. Wish I saw this post earlier.

-pia-

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