A Better World Blooming: Fair Trade Certified(TM) Flowers Now Available in U.S.
Posted on February 12, 2008
Filed Under ___non-tech
Certification Promises Beautiful Flowers for Consumers, Better Wages and
Working Conditions for Farm Workers Worldwide. OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ — TransFair USA, the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United
States, is now offering Fair Trade Certified(TM) flowers to the U.S.
market. The flowers are available to consumers in time for Valentine’s Day.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080110/AQTH015LOGO)
While many people believe cut roses and flowers are grown locally, most
commercially available flowers are grown in the developing world. Adding a
Fair Trade Certified label to these flowers guarantees that flower workers
in developing countries, the majority of whom are women, receive fair
wages; protective gear; training on safe handling of agrochemicals;
education and child care; and paid vacation, maternity and sick leave.
Growers also receive a premium of approximately 10 percent on each sale to
invest in community and business development projects.
“We are thrilled to launch Fair Trade Certified flowers as a response
to growing consumer demand for socially and environmentally responsible
products,” said TransFair USA President and CEO Paul Rice. “Sourcing Fair
Trade Certified flowers means direct access to the high-quality flowers in
the world, increased flower sales, a better environment and a better way of
life for thousands of flower workers around the world.”
The Fair Trade Certified flowers are currently available at select
online retailers, including samsclub.com and 1-800-FLOWERS.COM,
OrganicBouquet.com and OrganicStyle.com. In order for flowers to arrive in
time for Valentine’s Day, Samsclub.com customers must order by Feb. 9. Last
minute shoppers can order from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM until 1 p.m. EST on Feb.
13, and from OrganicBouquet.com and OrganicStyle.com until 2:00 pm PST on
Feb. 13.
While each retailer will set its own price for the flowers, Fair Trade
flowers are expected to be priced competitively with other flowers. To
date, more than 30 of the highest quality flower growers in Ecuador,
Colombia and Africa are Fair Trade Certified, representing over one billion
stems of production.
Fair Trade Certified flowers were first introduced in Europe in 2001.
Since then, sales have grown 30 percent every year. The retail value of all
Fair Trade Certified products in the U.S., including coffee, tea, cocoa,
sugar, vanilla, rice and fruit, reached more than $730 million last year,
and is projected to reach $2.25 billion by 2012.
Understanding the Fair Trade Movement
The Fair Trade Certified label is a simple way for consumers to know
that their products were produced under socially, environmentally and
economically sustainable conditions. A recently released study by the
Hartman Group found that 73 percent of U.S. consumers believe their
purchases have significant impact on society, and most are willing to pay a
10 percent premium for sustainable products.
Fair Trade certification ensures that farms comply with rigorous
environmental standards governing pesticide use, water conservation,
wastewater treatment, ecosystem protection, and more. An extensive list of
agrochemicals is completely prohibited and other agrochemicals are required
to be phased out over time. Additionally, Fair Trade flower farms must
transition to an integrated pest management system and make progress toward
organic certification.
About TransFair USA
TransFair USA, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, is one of 21
members of Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO), and the
only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the
United States. TransFair USA audits transactions between U.S. companies
offering Fair Trade Certified products and the international suppliers from
whom they source, in order to guarantee that the farmers and workers behind
Fair Trade Certified goods were paid fair, above-market prices and wages.
FLO annually inspects producer organizations to ensure that strict
socioeconomic development criteria are met using increased Fair Trade
revenue, in addition to sustainable farm management, environmental
stewardship and democratic decision making. For more information, visit
http://www.transfairusa.org.
Anthony Marek
Director of Public Relations
TransFair USA
510-663-5260, ext. 346
amarek@transfairusa.org
SOURCE TransFair USA via PRNEWSWIRE
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