Date of publication: November 7, 2008
Source: Duluth News Tribune
Author: Lyn Clark Pegg
Excerpt from article:
With the Rotary Rose Sale last month and the holidays coming up soon, our community is likely to purchase thousands of dozens of roses this year. Careful consumer purchases can assure that the flower workers in Colombia will benefit as well.
The international flower industry has a history of labor exploitation and environmental degradation.
The Rotary Rose Sale committee took an important step by selling certified flowers, indicated by the statement on their poster that the “roses are grown in a socially and responsible way.”
The International Labor Rights Forum recommends purchasing flowers certified by Fair Trade and Veriflora, based on its strong labor and environmental standards....