Florverde News
Where Do Mother's Day Flowers Come From?
Five Facts About Colombian Flowers and Florverde(R) Certified Farms
BOGOTA, Columbia, May 7 PRNewswire-USNewswire — This Mother's Day, millions of moms will receive a beautiful bouquet of blooms. As Americans become more globally aware than ever before, many may wonder, "Where do Mother's Day flowers come from?" The answer: the wondrous country of Colombia. Following are a few facts about Colombian flowers and the Florverde(R)-certified farms that grow them.
1. Most Flowers Purchased in the U.S. Come from Colombia and Florverde-Certified Farms:
Today, almost two out of every three cut flowers purchased in the United States are grown in Colombia. The majority of Colombian flowers shipped to the U.S. are grown on Florverde-certified farms, which are in compliance with stringent U.S and international social and environmental standards. Currently 171 Colombian farms, comprising more than half of the acreage devoted to growing flowers, have qualified for or are in the process of qualifying for, Florverde certification, as verified by SGS, an international certification organization.
2. Thousands of Beautiful Colombian-Grown Flower Varieties:
The rich soil, abundance of sunlight and moderate temperatures of Colombia plus a highly skilled workforce helps to produce some of the most vibrant flowers in the world. Florverde-certified farms grow a multitude of flower varieties from the unusual such as heliconia to flowers more commonly seen in bouquets including roses, alstroemeria and gerbera daisies. In fact, flowers grown in Colombia account for 98% of all carnations, 95% of all chrysanthemums and 99% of all alstroemeria purchased in the U.S.
3. Colombian Floriculture Provides Improved Living Standards for Colombian Workers:
As the size and influence of the Colombian floriculture industry expands, it continues to enhance working standards to improve the lives of floral workers. Asocolflores is celebrating eleven years of Florverde, the unique certification program, which was created to improve the lives and living standards of floral farm workers and their families, to preserve and protect the environment for generations to come and to ensure high-quality, affordable flowers for consumers year round.
4. Florverde Flower Farms Use Sustainable Practices:
One of the key goals of Florverde is to reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals and pesticides through the use of sustainable agricultural practices including biological and natural controls and integrated pest management. When it's necessary to use chemical pest controls, Colombia has clear and stringent regulations on products used and promotes safe practices in the handling and application of these products. Florverde farms only use products that are duly registered with the Colombian Agriculture Institute, licensed by the Ministry of Health and registered and approved for use in the United States and European Union (EU). Workers are educated and trained in the safe use of these chemicals and provided appropriate safety equipment.
5. Colombia Invests In the Future of Flowers:
While the accomplishments under Florverde are celebrated in Colombia and worldwide, those overseeing the successes strive for more. Asocolflores is on a mission to further educate and certify more flower farms in Colombia and set an example for floriculture globally. Through the investment in social and environmental initiatives, Florverde is making an investment in the future of flowers. According to Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores, "We are incredibly proud of our progress over the past eleven years and are more committed than ever to lead the flower industry to new heights by example."
About Florverde
Established in 1996, with the Spanish name meaning "green flowers," the Florverde program has made ongoing advancements to improve Colombian workers' quality of life and to ensure Colombian-grown flowers meet specific, environmental standards. The Florverde-certification program was created by Asocolflores with a vision to leading the flower industry and improving practices by establishing and regulating a set of social and environmental standards, as well as a code of conduct. Today, more than 171 farms, covering more than 7,600 acres devoted to growing flowers in Colombia, have qualified for, or are in the process of qualifying for, Florverde certification.
SOURCE Florverde
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