“The not-so-sweet smell of floral imports mars Mother’s Day”

An excerpt from the Sustainable Living section on “The not-so-sweet smell of floral imports mars Mother’s Day” by Shawn Dell Joyce from the Times Herald Record on May 13, 2007:

“Local Florist Lynn Mehl of Good Old Days Florist in New Windsor had an epiphany recently when she discovered the thorny underside of the floral industry. “I did a little research on my (previous) products and found that roses alone, according to recent studies, can contain up to 50 times the amount of pesticides that are legally allowed on our food. I shop organic, I support fair wages, I cannot consciously continue with a business practice that is against all that I have supported for years.”

Mehl got proactive about it and located a U.S. import distributor who sells exclusively certified organic, eco-friendly and soon-to-be fair trade flowers in bulk resale. She also found some smaller suppliers of locally grown organic flowers. All varieties are not yet available, but will be in the growing season. These include roses, lilies, sunflowers, and tulips. “Ironically,” said Mehl, “these flowers are more fragrant, last longer and have very little cost difference. They are healthier for those who enjoy them, help protect the environment and support sustainable farming.”

“And would you believe,” says Mehl, “I am the only professional florist buying these flowers on the East Coast for resale?”