Veriflora surpasses 1 billion certified plants

Among the 70 million poinsettias Americans will purchase this year, a growing number are certified as Sustainably Grown. The Veriflora certification program, established by SCS Global Services (SCS) to stimulate and verify sustainable growing practices among plant and flower growers, recently surpassed the 1 billionth certified plant milestone, among which are poinsettias grown and sold by several North American farms, nurseries and greenhouses.

Sustainable agriculture is a growing sector of the horticulture industry. Under the Veriflora program, growers who are key drivers of that growth have demonstrated that they are actively minimizing the environmental impact of their operations, supporting worker health, safety and fair wages, and producing healthy, high-quality products.

Veriflora certifies integrated pest management and reduced dependence on pesticides, so buyers know that companies are lowering the risk to the environment and to workers of exposure to harmful pesticides. Veriflora growers use practices aimed at increasing energy efficiency, reducing waste, protecting water resources and ensuring fair labor practices, while simultaneously promoting transparency throughout the supply chain from farm to market. The certification process involves independent audits of growers' facilities, in-depth interviews and detailed documentation reviews.

To learn more about Veriflora, visit www.veriflora.com.