A Rose Is Not Always A Rose....

In light of Valentine's Day tomorrow I thought I'd post about something dear to our hearts on this holiday...roses.

I'm sure you've experienced the joy of either getting a bouquet of beautiful roses or of giving that bouqet. They seem to be one of the great symbols of love and affection and of nature's brilliance. Unfortunately though most roses often have a sad and disturbing story behind their lovely colors. Every year Americans buy literally billions of roses, most come from Columbia and Ecuador where they are big business and income for poverty stricken Latin American workers. But with the demand from consumers and the demand for income in those countries come the environmental and health problems of the workers in rose plantations. You probably didn't realize but in 2007 the International Labor Rights Fund and the U.S./Labor Education in the Americas Project (LEAP) found that Ecuadoran flower companies use 30 different pesticides, and that 20 percent of the chemicals applied in flower production in Colombia are restricted or banned in the United States and Europe. Now if you know anything about pesticides you know what happens to them. They seep into the ground and then make there way to rivers, killing off all sort of marine and plant life. If these same chemicals are known to kill aquatic animals and plants which in turn reduces food sources for fish, one can only imagine the kind of silent damage it is doing to the workers.

According to the foundation for sustainable social development workers in these countries often if not consistenly suffer from headaches, Dermatitis and irritated eyes, including cataracts. More ominous are respiratory and neurological symptoms that result from exposure to carcinogens. Women make up about half of the workforce, and some, have trouble getting pregnant, or miscarry if they do conceive.

To me this all seems so sad, overwhelming and needless just so I can have some flowers but alas, there is hope, just as there always is. Today there are all sorts of American companies keeping their business in Latin America but choosing to go the organic route when it comes to rose plantations. In 2004 OrganicBouquet.com was started and quickly became the first online eco-florist. Since then it has become the recognized leader in organic and sustainable flowers in the United States making it a perfect place to buy your sweetie those desirous roses, if not this year then perhaps next. There are also several other sources for organic flowers such as whole foods market, your local farmers market and better yet your very own garden! Believe me there is no sweeter smell than a flower you know has a good story behind it.

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers"

Claude Monet