52 Weeks of Impact

Valentine’s Day: A big celebration day for florists around the world! In the U.S., it’s their number one holiday with as much as 20% of annual business. According to a CBS report, Americans will spend $1.7 billion on flowers for their sweeties.

And you? As one of the long-time ads in the States says, you certainly “… care enough to send the very best”, right? Well, keep in mind that these days, part of the “very best” means organic and Fair Trade.

Why?

First of all, by buying organic you’re ensuring that your loved one isn’t inhaling poisonous chemicals. If that’s not enough reason, in addition, you know that the workers who made that bouquet possible and the surrounding environment weren’t exposed to harmful pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. Though there are varying definitions of the term, by buying Fair Trade you have some assurance that the farmers and workers were treated and paid fairly for their work and products and engage in environmentally-friendly practices.

In other words, no one, no animal or no-thing suffered or will suffer for your expression of love.

Where to go

Thankfully, buying organic and/or Fair Trade is no longer so complicated. And, it’s not to late to send the very best for this Valentine’s Day — but you best hurry! These are just a few of the possibilities available to U.S. friends and followers. Googling “organic fair trade flowers” with the name of your city may bring more results.

California Organic Flowers – These California-grown certified organic flowers can be shipped anywhere in the continental United States. According to their website, priority overnight is possible.

Organic Bouquet – Their flowers are said to be sustainably grown and certified Organic or Veriflora via their partner farms. I’m partial to them because they partner with Defenders of Wildlife to “educate consumers about the benefits of purchasing sustainably grown and certified organic flowers”, and they support the mission to protect native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. Additionally, they partner with the CarbonFund that helps offset the greenhouse gases generated by shipping. FedEx is their carrier for all product shipments, so priority overnight is possible. But remember: FedEx does NOT deliver on Mondays and Valentine’s Day is on Monday!

Gardenia Organics – “New York’s First Sustainable Florist.” In keeping with what they term as their “environmental standards”, this florist delivers only within Manhattan and most of Brooklyn, New York. They can be ordered online.

Your local grocery store - Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods routinely sell organic flowers and plants.

Your local farmers’ market – it’s a good bet that you’ll find a stand run by a local organic nursery.

Other options

If you’re not keen on giving flowers, there are other equally people- and eco-friendly ways to say I Love You.  Google “organic fair trade” with “chocolates” “cosmetics” “gift baskets”, etc. for lots more results. Here are a few samples of what we love.

Theo Chocolates – Organic and Fair Trade specialty chocolate maker. They call themselves “.. the only Organic, Fair Trade, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Factory in the United States.”  Their Casanova Caramel Collection looks and sounds awfully Valentine’s Day friendly.

Truly Natural Products – We have not yet had the luck to try Truly Natural’s array of product lines, but they’ve come highly recommended by friends. I think many of their body and personal care items would make for wonderful Valentine’s Day gifts.

Diamond Organics – A Valentine’s Day gift from this mail order organic products company in California is sure to be remembered — well, it would be by me and several of my friends. Their “Flower Samplers” do, indeed, include flowers, but much of the color comes from the varied fruits, vegetables, cheeses, wines, juices, and/or breads. There are some amazingly cool-looking gift boxes and baskets.

Seeds of Change – If your sweetie’s got a green thumb, this organic seed company offers over 1,200 varieties of seeds (many heirloom, native and hard-to-find), in addition to plants, bulbs, and tubers and tools and books to help him/her grow.  According to their site all are 100% certified organic.

Last but not least

If all else fails, you can also just do what Nils and I do on and around Valentine’s Day: we stay home, cook together, and actually spend time talking (and listening) to each other over dinner.  Something unique.