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THE CONCEPT
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OUR BELIEFS
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WHY WE CARE
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OUR STANDARDS
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OUR TEAM
Hannah Ling, owner Gardenia Organic, was an international management consultant for 13 years before she opened New York's 1st eco-conscious floral design store and studio. Committed to living an ethical and organic lifestyle, she was surprised by the comparative lack of effort behind the 'green movement' when she moved to the East Coast from Europe in 1999.
Nearly a decade later, delighted that consumer awareness had proliferated, Hannah wanted to do something good. Not just for her own life, but something that would also benefit others.
As someone that had always been creative, (the designated florist for family weddings!), Hannah longed for a more wholesome and personally fulfilling career that utilized her business acumen gained during her consulting career. So, she decided to re-qualify, sell up (everything!) and put her money where her mouth is. In December 2007 she opened New York's first organic, ethically traded designer florist.
In line with the increasing demand for seasonal and organic foods, Hannah set out to demonstrate that living a sustainable lifestyle ('green' & ethical), does not mean we have to compromise on quality and design- neither in fact does it have to cost more.
Gardenia Organic is at the beginning of the journey - being the first means being the one that has to prove it can work. The flowers speak for themselves - they look beautiful, last longer and smell better than conventionally grown ones. This, coupled with the support of several high profile supporters, has meant that Gardenia Organic has gone from strength to strength since opening.
Exceeding all expectations, the team grew from one to five in just over six months. Their excitement is shared and mirrored in the rapport and exchange between the team and customers, something that we welcome and greatly appreciate.
Challenges continue to lie ahead. Sourcing of flowers that are grown in both sustainable and ethical manners is constrained. Hannah intends to continue improving the supply chain by raising consumer awareness and henceforth, consumer demand. Her commitment and loyalty to her suppliers is dependent on her clientele.
We invite you to look through our site - our creativity, vision and values remain at the forefront of design and ethical living; we are simply delighted to have been named 'Best Florist 2008' by New York Magazine...
Your business matters to us, as it is enabling more and more growers to convert to organic standards; the more we invest the more we can change, encourage and influence. Our ethical commitment means the more we buy from fairly traded and 'green' organizations the more choice will become available to you.
We don't want to sit on the peripheries of the floral industry, the more successful we become, the louder our voice will be. Our vision is to continue to pressure the entire floral industry and eradicate any unfair, unethical & abusive practices - to people and our planet.
We recycle and compost our own generated waste - glass, organic matter, plastic, paper and cardboard. We continuously ask our suppliers to reduce the packaging they use and to not send us any paper catalogues or invoices. We re-use as much of our own waste and supply only from recycled, green and/or fair trade organizations. Our bags, business cards, tissue and wrappings are all recycled and biodegradable. We even have vases made from recycled glass!
"We commit to continue being at the forefront of ethical designer floristry. We are proud to have proven that high design does not have to compromise our environment - we are green and stylish - no longer can any of us afford to not buy with our eyes and heart open. We call this heartfelt."
Real beauty is not at the cost of anyone else…its time to smell the roses!
Few people are aware that conventionally grown flowers are laden with unseen dangers. Seventy percent (70%) of the flowers sold in the US are imported from South America, where they use over 25 pesticides that have been outlawed in the US due to their carcinogenic nature. Coupled with child labor and poor working conditions for the farmers, there's good reason to start buying certified eco and socially conscious flowers.
Facts
- Conventionally grown flowers are laden with chemicals - highly toxic & carcinogenic ones
- They're bad for the health of you, the farmers that grow them and our water
- 80% of all flowers sold in the US are imported, primarily from Columbia & Ecuador
- Foreign flower workers are exposed to 25 different pesticides not used in the US because they are so dangerous - how ironic that they end up here anyway
- 20% of Ecuador's 60,000 flowers workers are children - most vulnerable to the harmful effects of chemicals
Firmly rooted in the founding ethics of Gardenia Organic is a deep commitment to, and support of, organic and fairly traded principles.
We believe that the use of pesticides and fertilizers in flower production is not only adding harmful toxins and chemicals to our food and water chains; thereby affecting our health, it also has a damaging impact on the environment. By sourcing and supporting organic growers in developing countries, we are helping them to adopt healthier growing methods and regulated safer working conditions.
If charity starts at home, start here. You don't have to do anything, just make a choice to buy with your heart.
Irrespective of your florist, please only choose flowers certified by Fair Trade, VeriFlora and/or USDA Organic.
USDA Organic The USA'S leading organic charity certifies our grower's products. Certification insists on the highest standards of integrity across all sectors of the organic market. The National Organic Program (NOP) develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards for organic agricultural products. The NOP also accredits the certifying agents (foreign and domestic) who inspect organic production and handling operations to certify that they meet USDA standards.
For more information visit the USDAwebsite.
VeriFlora The 'VeriFlora Certified Sustainably Grown' label is your guarantee that flowers and potted plants have been produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and meet the highest standards for freshness and quality. The farmers, distributors, wholesalers and florists who grow and handle VeriFlora flowers and plants are committed to delivering only the highest quality products, produced with rigorous environmental accountability while at the same time addressing the health and well-being of workers, their families and communities. Certification is conducted by SCS, a recognized neutral third party with no vested interest in the companies or products it evaluates or certifies. This independence is vital to ensure that the certification standards are enforced fully and fairly. The certification process involves detailed on-site inspections, document audits, in-depth interviews, and annual follow-up.
For more information visit the VeriFlorawebsite.
Fair Trade The Fair Trade Certified label on your bouquet means that flower workers, most of whom are women, can put food on their tables, send their children to school, invest in community development, and use sustainable farming methods. Fair Trade standards ensure that producers are paid a fair price that covers the cost of sustainable production and living, including the payment of a 'premium' that can be invested in development and contracts that allow producers to plan for the long-term. Trading in this way restores a sense of pride and passion in the producers as well as instilling integrity and transparency throughout the trading system.
For more information visit the Transfair USAwebsite.
Our people: your team includes top USA and UK trained florists who have in-depth experience of designing for a discerning clientele and global designer florists.
Our people have chosen to work with Gardenia Organic as they have made a conscious choice to invest in both their careers and an industry that is capable of giving more. Their creativity speaks for itself.
Hannah's mission is not only to highlight the issues within the floral industry, but also to prove that 'green' does not necessarily have to be more expensive. "As consumers, we shouldn't have to pay more to make conscious choices when making a purchase. Being environmentally and socially responsible needs to be a way of a life or it's just not sustainable. Choosing to buy green should not be inconvenient or more expensive".
In a wider sense fair trade does in fact determine how we work together at Gardenia Organic. We firmly believe in fair and honest trading with all of our suppliers and customers, be they based many miles away just around the corner.
We have come together as a team to support each other's various talents and share the creativity and the values of doing the right thing…whilst having fun, being stylish and leading in design.
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Like Minded: Organizations and businesses close to our heart... because they share our values
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