One Dozen Sweet & Lovely Bouquet

VeriFlora® certified by Scientific Certification Systems, and grown with the least environmental impact. All growers and handlers must meet rigorous performance criteria in the following areas before being awarded the VeriFlora® certification:

• sustainable crop production
• ecosystem protection
• fair labor practices
• community benefits
• product quality

VeriFlora® is America’s first comprehensive sustainability certification program for the floral and potted plant industries. 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. 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.

The VeriFlora® certification program 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 the following key areas:

• Sustainable Crop Production – Controlling pests and diseases with the least environmental impact; building soil fertility and health to support the ecosystem, prevent erosion, and capture and store carbon from the atmosphere; phasing in organic practices over time.

• Ecosystem Protection – Protecting ecosystems in and around the farm, including streams, rivers, riparian zones, wetlands areas, habitats and species with recognized high ecological value, and other biologically and culturally significant areas.

• Resource Conservation and Energy Efficiency – Conserving precious natural resources through careful water use and quality control practices, energy saving initiatives, greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts, and product packaging minimization.

• Integrated Waste Management – Providing safe storage and proper handling and disposal of farm chemicals, and encouraging composting or recycling of agricultural and non-agricultural wastes.

• Fair Labor Practices – Ensuring a safe, equitable and healthy work environment, and providing access to key services as needed.

• Community Benefits – Supporting local communities through preferential purchasing, hiring, infrastructure improvements, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Product Quality – Implementing quality assurance and product tracking procedures to ensure that sustainably grown products are properly handled from the time they leave the farm until they reach the consumer, for maximum freshness and longevity.

• safe working environment
• legal age requirements
• requirements for cultural activities
• higher compensation standards
• on site facilities to support families

FlorVerde's® most compelling aspect is its focus on the health and welfare of the Colombian worker. FlorVerde®'s stringent workplace standards are designed to improve the lives of Colombian workers by providing social systems to support workers and their families, fostering a system that facilitates personal and professional growth and opportunity, and by creating and maintaining a safe work environment. The environmental standards and care and handling measures defined by FlorVerde® represent safe, sustainable floriculture and yield an abundant supply of beautiful flowers that are available throughout the year.

Workplace Standards Despite the fact the Colombian law permits youth to work at the age of sixteen, workers must be at least 18 years old to work on a FlorVerde®-certified farm. This regulation is strictly enforced through routine audits. Certified farms provide comprehensive education and training for all workers to ensure a safe and productive workplace. At 46.5 hours per week, the average work week is less than the 48-hour Colombian standard. In addition, FlorVerde® certification requires employees to spend a minimum of two hours per week on cultural activities to strengthen the community infrastructure. These jobs are highly sought after, in part because the compensation tends to be higher than minimum standards set by law.

Workplace Safety FlorVerde® certification requires comprehensive workplace training for all those that work on the farm. Comprehensive training and a detailed procedural manual are provided to each participating farm. Training includes a detailed review of specific steps to safeguard workers in all farming practices including use of machinery, application of government-approved agricultural compounds, equipment instructions, harvesting processes and transportation.

Floriculture Quality Standards Flowers from FlorVerde® certified farms are distinguished from others by growers' commitment to product quality. The FlorVerde® floriculture standards provide environmental protection by minimizing the impact of production through the application of good agricultural practices. In addition, in order to maintain accountability among growers, a new system has been implemented that allows for certified flowers to be traced from their originating farm through the distribution chain via a tracking system. The FlorVerde® standards for care and handling ensure the highest product quality from harvest all the way through the distribution chain. These standards are enforced beginning at the farm where flowers are cultivated in a manner that will yield beautiful blooms within a safe working environment. Post-harvest, additional measures are in place to keep flowers at appropriate cold temperatures in transit to extend shelf life.

FlorVerde® Standard FlorVerde® requires compliance with all compulsory standards (levels 1-3) and codes of conduct including operational and social guidelines before a farm can be certified.

FlorVerde® Certification Organization FlorVerde® farms are certified by SGS, a renowned international audit company based in Switzerland. SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, widely recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 46,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world in support of some of the world's largest and most visible consumer brands.

Fair Labor Practices & Community Benefits™ Certified, which will guarantee strict compliance for labor practices.

• equitable hiring and employment practices
• safe workplace conditions
• access to health, education and transportation services
• addressing local community impacts
• community engagement
• economic stability

Fair Labor Practices & Community Benefits Certified™ underlines the importance of conducting operations in a manner that supports the needs of workers, their families and communities.

The label includes provisions for equitable hiring and employment practices, safe workplace conditions, workers right to organize, worker housing, child labor, access to health, education, and transportation services, impacts to the community, local hiring, purchasing, and contributions, and economic stability. This comprehensive certification provides a consistent, transparent set of requirements that directly benefit workers, their families and communities.

What are the standards of Fair Labor Practices & Community Benefits Certified™?

• equitable hiring and employment practices
• safe workplace conditions
• access to health, education and transportation services
• addressing local community impacts
• community engagement
• economic stability

For more information, please visit http://www.scscertified.com.