The VERIFLORA seal is a real, green program that regularly spot check farms for ecologically sound systems that include:
1- Water and ecological conservation: implementing water management systems to prevent depletion of fresh water supplies.
2- Product quality: implementing practices to ensure the quality of the product through the whole chain of delivery to the final consumer.
3- Advanced agricultural practices: integrating organic practices wherever possible. To only use approved green label certified pesticides. To allow no discharge of pesticides run off into the environment.
4- Waste management: recycling and composting as well as the proper disposal of agricultural chemicals.
By March of 2007 the co-op that sends Roberto’s roses had certified 144 acres.
Certification means the growers have met or exceeded the requirements. There is no middle ground with Veriflora, no differing levels of certification. You either are ecologically sound and certified, or you aren’t.
That means the roses are environmentally friendly roses.
Here is a red and bi color combination of fresh Ecuador roses we had delivered to us in North Carolina.
Fair Trade Roses
In addition the Verflora seal requires the rose grower to be socially responsible adhering to recognized labor and community standards, specially pertaining to health and safety, work conditions, hiring practices, discrimination, harassment and fair pay.
The growers offer every single one of their workers:
1 – free doctor and medical treatment at the farm for workers.
2 – day care facilities for infants.
3 – free breakfast and lunch (and dinner when they work late).
4 – free sports and recreation facilities.
5 – small business loans -when workers want to leave to set up their own small holding farm.
6 – workers fund – for financial help with school fees to buy a car, etc.
7 – complete health and safety equipment provided free -helmets , gloves, masks, etc.
8 – paid maternity leave with a guarantee of work when they want to return.
9 – overtime paid over and above the legal requirements.
10 – Christmas parties, summer holiday excursions, sports tournaments.
11 – a safe and secure work environment with job satisfaction and potential for personal development.
There you have it…three great reasons to experience the warmth of the people and beauty of Ecuador…The freshest…best roses…and you help the environment and the poor by having them delivered into your home.
