Over the past few years, we've seen the growth of the slow food/local food movements. Farmer's markets have gained traction, groceries feature local produce and products, and people (especially since 2020!) have provided direct support to farms through CSA models. But where is the movement for local flowers? It's just beginning!
Photo by Stephan Eickschen on Unsplash
Support local agriculture
When you buy local flowers, you support small and medium family farmers who often prioritize environmental sustainability in their growing methods. Most of the cut flowers you find in grocery stores or from online flower bouquet suppliers are grown in other countries and shipped to the US. By supporting local farmers who grow flowers, you are keeping money circulating in your community and decreasing your flower carbon footprint.
Cut your environmental impact with local flowers
Not only is shipping flowers a massive carbon footprint, but often there are fewer environmental or labor regulations in the countries that produce the most flowers. In the US, the majority of our cut flower supply comes from Colombia and Ecuador. Chemicals used to produce the flowers (which most people immediately stick their faces into and smell, yuck!) can leak into waterways and harm both the flower farm workers and surrounding communities. By supporting local organic cut flower growers, you know that your flowers are safe to smell and that everyone growing them had safe working conditions.
Slow flowers and sustainability
One thing that we've learned from the local farm movement is that food is produced seasonally. Once you start eating that way, you realize that your body craves starchier foods in winter and fresher produce in summer. Flowers are the same way—they grow seasonally, and in the spring our hearts dance when they start coming into bloom. Instead of buying shipped-in fresh bouquets in the winter, support a local flower farm who creates dried bouquets that will last for years. Some local farms have extended their seasons with hoop houses/cold frames or more energy-intensive greenhouses. But if no one in your area is doing that, then dried bouquets are the way to go.
Want to dry your own bouquet? Simply separate the flowers into smaller bunches and hang upside down in a cool, dry location, OR submerge them in a bucket of silica for better shape and color preservation. (Buying silica from that link gives me a small % of the sale)
If you're looking for local, slow flowers in Boulder, CO, consider supporting Meant to Bea Florals! Or look up a flower grower in your area here.
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