Organic

Organic refers to a sustainable system of agriculture popularized in the U.S. by farmer and publisher J. I. Rodale in 1946. Organic farming seeks to work with nature, not against it, by utilizing agricultural techniques that build soil fertility and protect the surrounding air, water and wildlife. It emphasizes building healthy, rich soil to produce plants that are high in nutritional value and resistant to pests and diseases.

Our Organic products are certified by Quality Assurance International (QAI), a USDA accredited agency that verifies our growers adhere to the standards prescribed by the National Organic Program (NOP). The QAI Certification Program is designed to certify every step of the organic chain: from the land on which the product is grown; to the producers growing the product; to the post-harvest facilities preparing the product; to the processing and handling facilities transforming the product. This includes the use of sustainable farming techniques that rely on natural systems of production, pest management, and weed and fungal control, such as: cover cropping, composting, beneficial insect release, crop rotation, and prohibited use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It also prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals commonly found in industrial pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The purpose of organic agriculture is to enrich the soil, minimize damage to ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and maintain environmental quality.

For more information, please visit http://www.qai-inc.com and http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm.

VeriFlora

VeriFlora® is America’s first comprehensive sustainability certification program for the floral and potted plant industries. The VeriFlora® "Certified Sustainably Grown" label is your guarantee that flowers and potted plants have been produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and meet the highest standards for freshness and quality. When you choose a VeriFlora® product, you are contributing to a global movement to encourage companies to become sustainable. Already, this has resulted in significant and positive change for farmers, farm workers, and the environment.

The VeriFlora® certification program establishes procedures for verifying agricultural production and handling practices, from soil preparation and seed planting through production, harvest, and post-harvest distribution. The program is administered by Scientific Certification Systems(SCS), a leader in third party certification services and standards development. To be certified, growers and handlers must meet rigorous performance criteria in the following key areas:

• Sustainable Crop Production – Controlling pests and diseases with the least environmental impact; building soil fertility and health to support the ecosystem, prevent erosion, and capture and store carbon from the atmosphere; phasing in organic practices over time.

• Ecosystem Protection – Protecting ecosystems in and around the farm, including streams, rivers, riparian zones, wetlands areas, habitats and species with recognized high ecological value, and other biologically and culturally significant areas.

• Resource Conservation and Energy Efficiency – Conserving precious natural resources through careful water use and quality control practices, energy saving initiatives, greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts, and product packaging minimization.

• Integrated Waste Management – Providing safe storage and proper handling and disposal of farm chemicals, and encouraging composting or recycling of agricultural and non-agricultural wastes.

• Fair Labor Practices – Ensuring a safe, equitable and healthy work environment, and providing access to key services as needed.

• Community Benefits – Supporting local communities through preferential purchasing, hiring, infrastructure improvements, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Product Quality – Implementing quality assurance and product tracking procedures to ensure that sustainably grown products are properly handled from the time they leave the farm until they reach the consumer, for maximum freshness and longevity.

Biodynamics is the oldest sustainable system of agriculture practiced in the western world today, started by German philosopher Rudolph Steiner in 1924. The Biodynamic Method was later refined in the United States by Dr. Pfeiffer. In the late 1960's and early 70's, Alan Chadwick further developed the method into the Biodynamic French Intensive method of horticulture. Chadwick established a research facility and demonstration farm and garden at the University of California at Santa Cruz, which is now known as the Agroecology Program.

Biodynamics views the farm as a self-sustaining organism within the surrounding ecosystem. It emphasizes animals as being part of the farm ecosystem, and it takes into account the soil, earth, atmosphere, and cosmos. Biodynamics does not employ pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. Instead, it relies on manure, crop rotations, biological pest control, and cosmic forces to put life back into soils and into the ecology of the farm. Biodynamic farming supplements organic methods with astronomy, and with homeopathic-like preparations and sprays produced on the farm to enhance and regulate plant growth, compost production, and soil fertility. Utilizing the Stella Natura Biodynamic agricultural calendar, Biodynamic farmers consider the positioning of the sun and the moon, and other "cosmic rhythms," as guides for when to prune, plant, or dig.

The Demeter Association certifies our products that are labeled Biodynamic. For more information, please visit www.demeter-usa.org.

Fair Trade Certified is a growing, international movement which ensures that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means a fair price for their goods (one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a living income), long-term contracts which provide real security; and for many, support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales. (Oxfam: Make Trade Fair)

History
The fair trade movement originated in Europe over 40 years ago with a mission to create sustainable incomes for poor and disadvantaged producers by:

• providing a living wage
• maintaining stable, long-term trade agreements and by
• improving working conditions through education, campaigning and creating access to outside markets.

Today the majority of these producers are workers in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Unfortunately free trade agreements, such as NAFTA, APEC and WTO, have created industrial opportunities in these developing regions but ignored actions to protect workers or the environment. For example, in India millions have been employed as piece-work garment workers for below minimum wage; this is accepted since the market for their traditional crafts has been all but eliminated.

Additionally, the market for fair trade has enjoyed great success in Europe, where fair trade goods are available in over 2,700 world stores and 43,000 supermarkets. There are four multi-national fair trade organizations that work together to help spread and advocate the fair trade movement: IFAT, EFTA, NEWS! and FLO International. In 2001, the European Fair Trade Association surveyed 18 countries and found that they work with over 100 importing organizations with the four largest having annual turnover of over €10 million a year ($12.3 million), while the total net retail value is estimated to be over €92 million a year (European Fair Trade Association).

This trend is making its way over to the US slowly but surely. American consumers are increasingly concerned about the origin and the environmental and social footprint of their purchases. This “Fair Trade” movement is growing similar to the Organic industry, which began as a fringe movement but is now a global industry worth $23B (2002, Organic Monitor). In 2000, fair trade sales in North America totaled $100 million. This figure almost doubled to $180m within two years, with the majority of revenues from agricultural products: coffee, tea chocolate and fruit. The fair trade handicrafts market generated revenues of $13.8m in 2002. It would not be surprising if this trend, which has come to the US slowly and steadily, grows exponentially in the future as a result of education and awareness.

We support growers who are adopting organic farming practices, have the intention of completing organic certification and who are currently under the oversight of a USDA accredited organic certification agency but are within the 3 year required process to reach certification status. Although there is no assurance the growers will achieve organic status, we believe it is important to support growers who are dedicated to the process and have made the commitment to transition their farms to organic practices.

Products that are labeled “eco-friendly” are not certified by an official government or independent standard but are deemed sustainable based on one or more of the following practices: a) the use of materials which are recycled, recyclable, tree-free, biodegradable, compostable, post-consumer, wild crafted, all-natural, and/or printed with vegetable-based inks; b) manufactured or transported using carbon offsets, renewable or efficient energy, and/or little to no toxic chemicals; c) produced using organic farming practices but are not certified under the USDA National Organic Program; d) a portion of the sale proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations dedicated to wildlife & land conservation, ecological restoration, and environmental protection.

Products that are labeled “socially responsible” are not certified by an official government or independent standard but are deemed worthy based one or more of the following practices: a) sourced from farmers and artisans who re-invest in the infrastructure of their local communities through education, healthcare, and/or economic development projects; b) sourced from farmers and artisans who are employed by companies that provide safe and just working conditions, a livable wage, and adequate health and education benefits; c) a portion of the sale proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations dedicated to social justice, human rights & welfare, and animal rights; d) produced without animal testing or cruelty and are either vegetarian or vegan.

VeriFlora & Fair Trade

VeriFlora® is America’s first comprehensive sustainability certification program for the floral and potted plant industries. The VeriFlora® "Certified Sustainably Grown" label is your guarantee that flowers and potted plants have been produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and meet the highest standards for freshness and quality. When you choose a VeriFlora® product, you are contributing to a global movement to encourage companies to become sustainable. Already, this has resulted in significant and positive change for farmers, farm workers, and the environment.

Bay Area Green Business Program

Launched: First county launched in 1996.

Cost: Free

Types of businesses: Auto services, printing, hotels, restaurants, dentists, wineries, office and retail operations, garment cleaners, remodeling, and landscape design and maintenance

Criteria: Regulatory compliance, pollution prevention, waste reduction and energy and water conservation. Criteria may be different from county to county.

Process: Application verified by a utility or regulator from storm water, air quality, hazardous waste, etc.

Organic refers to a sustainable system of agriculture popularized in the U.S. by farmer and publisher J. I. Rodale in 1946. Organic farming seeks to work with nature, not against it, by utilizing agricultural techniques that build soil fertility and protect the surrounding air, water and wildlife. It emphasizes building healthy, rich soil to produce plants that are high in nutritional value and resistant to pests and diseases.

Our Organic products are certified by Quality Assurance International (QAI), a USDA accredited agency that verifies our growers adhere to the standards prescribed by the National Organic Program (NOP). The QAI Certification Program is designed to certify every step of the organic chain: from the land on which the product is grown; to the producers growing the product; to the post-harvest facilities preparing the product; to the processing and handling facilities transforming the product. This includes the use of sustainable farming techniques that rely on natural systems of production, pest management, and weed and fungal control, such as: cover cropping, composting, beneficial insect release, crop rotation, and prohibited use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It also prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals commonly found in industrial pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The purpose of organic agriculture is to enrich the soil, minimize damage to ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and maintain environmental quality.

For more information, please visit http://www.qai-inc.com and http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm.

Fair Trade Certified is a growing, international movement which ensures that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means a fair price for their goods (one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a living income), long-term contracts which provide real security; and for many, support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales. (Oxfam: Make Trade Fair)>

History
The fair trade movement originated in Europe over 40 years ago with a mission to create sustainable incomes for poor and disadvantaged producers by:

• providing a living wage
• maintaining stable, long-term trade agreements and by
• improving working conditions through education, campaigning and creating access to outside markets.

Today the majority of these producers are workers in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Unfortunately free trade agreements, such as NAFTA, APEC and WTO, have created industrial opportunities in these developing regions but ignored actions to protect workers or the environment. For example, in India millions have been employed as piece-work garment workers for below minimum wage; this is accepted since the market for their traditional crafts has been all but eliminated.

Additionally, the market for fair trade has enjoyed great success in Europe, where fair trade goods are available in over 2,700 world stores and 43,000 supermarkets.

FlorVerde

FlorVerde®'s most compelling aspect is its focus on the health and welfare of the Colombian worker. FlorVerde®'s stringent workplace standards are designed to improve the lives of Colombian workers by providing social systems to support workers and their families, fostering a system that facilitates personal and professional growth and opportunity, and by creating and maintaining a safe work environment. The environmental standards and care and handling measures defined by FlorVerde® represent safe, sustainable floriculture and yield an abundant supply of beautiful flowers that are available throughout the year.

Workplace Standards Despite the fact the Colombian law permits youth to work at the age of sixteen, workers must be at least 18 years old to work on a FlorVerde®-certified farm. This regulation is strictly enforced through routine audits. Certified farms provide comprehensive education and training for all workers to ensure a safe and productive workplace. At 46.5 hours per week, the average work week is less than the 48-hour Colombian standard. In addition, FlorVerde® certification requires employees to spend a minimum of two hours per week on cultural activities to strengthen the community infrastructure. These jobs are highly sought after, in part because the compensation tends to be higher than minimum standards set by law.

Workplace Safety FlorVerde® certification requires comprehensive workplace training for all those that work on the farm. Comprehensive training and a detailed procedural manual are provided to each participating farm. Training includes a detailed review of specific steps to safeguard workers in all farming practices including use of machinery, application of government-approved agricultural compounds, equipment instructions, harvesting processes and transportation.

Floriculture Quality Standards Flowers from FlorVerde® certified farms are distinguished from others by growers' commitment to product quality. The FlorVerde® floriculture standards provide environmental protection by minimizing the impact of production through the application of good agricultural practices. In addition, in order to maintain accountability among growers, a new system has been implemented that allows for certified flowers to be traced from their originating farm through the distribution chain via a tracking system. The FlorVerde® standards for care and handling ensure the highest product quality from harvest all the way through the distribution chain. These standards are enforced beginning at the farm where flowers are cultivated in a manner that will yield beautiful blooms within a safe working environment. Post-harvest, additional measures are in place to keep flowers at appropriate cold temperatures in transit to extend shelf life.

FlorVerde® Standard FlorVerde® requires compliance with all compulsory standards (levels 1-3) and codes of conduct including operational and social guidelines before a farm can be certified.

FlorVerde® Certification Organization FlorVerde® farms are certified by SGS, a renowned international audit company based in Switzerland. SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, widely recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 46,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world in support of some of the world's largest and most visible consumer brands.