Found out 80% of roses die before hitting the sales floor

Was reading through some industry study from the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers last night and saw that stat. 80% of roses grown for florists never even make it to the shop. Between shipping issues, rot, and bad handling at farms it's wild. Made me rethink where I source my stems from. Has anyone else looked into direct farm sourcing to cut down on losses like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

cooper.nathan1mo ago

I started buying from a local grower and never looked back, way less waste.

alicecooper1mo ago

Get that, but big farms have way less packaging waste per item usually.

linda3051mo ago

My neighbor runs a pick-your-own berry patch and I swear half the strawberries end up in bags she got from Costco. Its not even about size, it's just that nobody bothers to change packaging habits once theyre stuck in a routine. I get that bulk bins at the co-op feel wasteful but at least the big guys will shrinkwrap a pallet and call it a day. Local doesnt always mean thoughtful.