04/22/2024

The Farm-to-table Movement Is Coming to Flowers

The driving forces behind changes in the cut flower industry

The flower industry is having a farm-to-table moment. Molly Oliver is a case study in a growing trend among florists and consumers seeking out more sustainable, seasonal and local flowers. She opened her Brooklyn flower shop, Molly Oliver Flowers, in 2012, offering local seasonal flowers for events, bouquets and monthly subscriptions. She sees connecting customers with seasonably available flowers and their growers as integral to her business.

"I just tried to tell the story over and over about the ways that we can reduce our impact and create that opportunity," said Oliver, who studied organic farming at the University of California Santa Cruz and grew flowers at an organic farm in California.

Once customers make the connection between the flowers, the farmers and the seasons, said Oliver, they develop a relationship with those flowers, which become more special. Oliver said she is working to make a positive impact on local farming and her community. Her dedication to sustainable practices extends to packaging and presentation, using only recycled paper and compostable materials.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Inc.