Local Flowers
Why to buy them as a florist, designer, and for you home.
Did you know…..
-over 13 billion $$$ of cut flowers are sold annually in the US
-over 80% of cut flowers sold in the US are imported
-58% of American flower farms have gone out of business since 1992
- Most people in a survey say they would prefer to buy local flowers
Here is a little history of the US flower industry:
In 1991 congress passed the Andean Trade Preference Act eliminating trade tariffs on flowers and other products from Bolivia, Columbia, Equador, and Peru and a few other countries.
This allowed roses and many other cut flowers and foliage to be imported into the US cheaper than farms here in the US could grow them for.
The result was that in the last 30 years, 58% of flower farms have gone out of business in the US.
58%…yeah…that’s a lot!!!
Rose Production in the US has dropped OVER 95%….think on that for a minute…
Today:
With the recent pandemic of 2020 local flowers have become important again with shipping and supply issues.
Even today, two years into the pandemic there are still global implication from the pandemic.
There are shipping and supply issues that cause perishable items to arrive in tattered and unusable conditions.
When a flower is flown in from another country it has to be cut immature and then is left out of water and shipped to the US.
Also these flowers are treated with harmful chemicals…especially roses.
Benefits of Local FLowers:
Locally grown flowers have more scent than imported flowers. Why is this?
Because the scent it often breed out imported flowers.
Locally grown flowers are more vibrant over imported flowers because they are more fresh and never out of water and never put in a box and shipped.
Locally grown flowers are cut at the proper stage for the longest vase life. This means that the flowers grown locally will last longer giving the end user more time to enjoy their beautiful flowers.
When you buy locally grown flowers you are supporting your local economy and usually supporting a small business that has an acutal effect on a family. I know that is the case for me and my family.
When you buy locally grown flowers you decrease the carbon footprint of the environment.
Benefits of local florists and designers have a relationship with local farmers:
Flower designers can request specific colors and flowers to the local farmers can grow…or if the farmer cannot grow that flower they can usually grow something similar.
Farmers can grow specialty crops that are not easily grown on a large scale because of a short bloom window or seed availability. This allows florist to have unusual flowers and foliage that florists often have never even seen or heard of before.
Think beyond red roses and baby’s breath for your designs and add interesting foliage and heirloom daffodils. With local flowers you can have unique designs not possible with shipped in flowers.
Farmers can grow flowers that are difficult to ship like dahlias and zinnias.
Seasonality: Buying local flowers allows everyone from the farmer to the florist to the end user understand seasonality of flowers. This allows everyone to appreciate and embrace the seasonality of flowers. Flowers are the best when they are in their peak season. Think about this in terms of vegetables: I don’t buy tomatoes in the winter from the store (they are not supposed to be white on the inside….I’ll say no more).
I hope this helps you think about why to buy local flowers.
I love growing local flowers. If you want to connect me about buying my local flowers as a West Michigan florists please email me at info@abundantbloomsflowerfarm.com. I will contact you with my easy ordering process via Rooted Farmers to make buying local products simple and easy!
Are you ready to learn more and grow flowers in your backyard with your children? You are in the right place. I have created a SUPER affordable beginners Guide so you can get started planning and growing TODAY so that you also can experience the joy of watching your children and flowers grow together just as I have.
