Fresh Cut Flowers from VeriFlora

Open Harvest has chosen to bring you VeriFlora products for you to enjoy and share without compromising social responsibility and environmental protection. 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. Since Open Harvest began carrying VeriFlora, contacts with local growers have been made. Our Produce Manager Deslie says, "Feel free to feel good buying VeriFlora!"

The VeriFlora certification 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 sustainable crop production, ecosystem protection, resource conservation and energy efficiency, integrated waste management, fair labor practices, community benefits, and product quality.

The SCS standard includes the most stringent protocols for agrochemical use among all flower label programs. Growers must eliminate the use of all agrochemicals classified as extremely hazardous or highly hazardous by the World Health Organization. The standard sets down specific requirements to ensure the safe storage of hazardous wastes and agrochemicals. Growers are required to develop a plan for converting to organic pest management and soil fertility practices over time. The standard contains extensive ecosystem and water quality protection measures to ensure that farmers are not damaging surrounding wildlife and habitats as a result of their production. Social responsibility requirements are included to ensure a fair, equitable and safe workplace that often extends beyond the requirements of local or national laws. For more information, see www.veriflora.com and www.scscertified.com.