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Faith and Fair Trade

One World Flowers — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:55:15 +0000

By Alaina Paradise

“Now listen you rich oppressors, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you… Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the Lord Almighty. “ ~ James 5:1,4

The Bible is clear that God detests injustice and oppression. This verse from the book of James speaks of unfair treatment of workers who have earned their wages through hard work but are not paid. Unfortunately, this is an injustice that is happening all over the world, even today. Agricultural workers are not paid for their hours, they are forced into unpaid overtime, or required to reach outrageous harvest quotas before getting minimum pay. In many cases, women suffer physical or sexual harassment and abuse. The environment is polluted with harsh chemicals and fertilizers, and workers are not given proper protection from these harmful agents.

In contrast, Fair Trade is a powerful and practical model to help build economic justice, promote human rights, and support responsible stewardship of the earth. Fair Trade ensures that workers are paid a living wage, which is far beyond the minimum wage in most countries. Human rights are protected and guaranteed. Workers are able to report abuses and receive remediation through an overseeing human rights organization. In addition, the most harmful agrochemicals are banned from use and replaced with integrated pest management. In the event that a chemical or pesticide must be used, workers are provided with protective gear to prevent chemical poisoning, and proper precautions are taken to close the fields until it is safe to enter.

Fair Trade is a way to do business God’s way; showing compassion and respect while enjoying products grown with love and care for people. The values and principles of Fair Trade business fit so perfectly into a Christian life. True Christianity is a committed lifestyle of identifying with Christ – not merely a Sunday morning religion. So, Christians of the true kind will strive to apply biblical values to every area of their lives and in each role that they play. One of the most overlooked but powerful roles that we all play is that of consumers.

Many of us do not realize the power we hold when we make decisions at the grocery store or when shopping for the home. We have in our wallets the power to make a difference for workers around the world. If you are a Christian seeking to apply Biblical principles of living into every area of life, it is important to reflect on the choices we are making with our money.

By purchasing Fair Trade Certified™ products, we are making a statement that we agree with the values behind the label – justice, sustainability, stewardship, and the value of human life. All of these things are pleasing to Christ and reflect His character. Fair Trade is a practical way of taking Christian beliefs to the marketplace, and a means of “putting your money where your mouth is.” Fair Trade is not a substitute to a saving relationship with Christ, nor is it the answer to all of the world’s woes, but it is one more way of reflecting Him to the world around us.

Here’s what you can do:

• Purchase Fair Trade Certified products when you shop—look for an expanding product line including coffee, tea, chocolate, fresh fruit, sugar, vanilla, rice, and flowers. Fair Trade flowers and chocolates can be sold at church fundraisers for Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.

• Serve Fair Trade coffee, tea, and cocoa at coffee hour, congregational meetings, and events—make justice a part of fellowship.

• Give Fair Trade items as wonderful gifts.

• Host a Fair Trade House Party and include a Fair Trade products tasting.

• Share the Fair Trade story with family, friends, and coworkers— publish an article in your church newsletter.

• Celebrate Fair Trade Month every October and World Fair Trade Day every second Saturday in May—special times to promote Fair Trade.

“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” —Micah 6:8

Fleurish Florists Launch Philadelphia’s First Fair Trade Floral Design Studio

One World Flowers — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:45:13 +0000

One World Flowers is pleased to announce the opening of the Fleurish Florist floral design studio in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia, specializing in sustainable floral design and “green” weddings. Fleurish Florist will be the first florist in Philadelphia to use Fair Trade Certified flowers, which will be supplied by One World Flowers. The company is a wholly woman-owned business founded by two sisters, Jane Cespuglio, owner and design director, and Susan Cespuglio-Bigler, owner and business manager. Fleurish Florists’ mission is to make the decision of going green a simple choice for clients hosting fair trade, eco-friendly events or fundraisers. Cespuglio commented, “As an architect, I have developed an in-depth awareness of issues of sustainability.”

Sustainable Design Principals

Fleurish Florists‘ design principles are based on the belief that customers do not need to sacrifice creativity, drama or excitement in exchange for choosing sustainable floral arrangements for weddings, events or corporate needs. Fleurish Florists employs eco-friendly techniques, ranging from the company’s choice of flowers and floral supplies, to its business structure and marketing strategy. Said Cespuglio, “I started Fleurish because I wanted to have a job that was a more hands-on approach to design, while having an outlet of self-expression that was both useful and ethical.” To this end, Fleurish Florists purchases only certified Fair Trade Certified, USDA organic, VeriFlora and local flowers to offset the impact the cut-floral industry has on the environment and people in third-world countries. Cespuglio-Bigler commented, “First and foremost, we feel it is the right thing to do to reduce our environmental impact and support a healthier and safer flower industry, but we also believe it makes good business sense.” In addition, Fleurish Florists never uses floral foam, which can be very harmful to the environment, and uses recycled-glass vases and ceramic containers created by local Philadelphia artists.

Wild Crafting – A Local Touch

The company also uses a technique called wild-crafting to create stunning visual floral arrangements for green weddings and other events. Wild-crafting is a design technique that relies on natural resources form the local Philadelphia area including branches, herbs, wildflowers, fruits and vegetables to create arrangements. Cespuglio added, “As a small firm focusing on eco-friendly events and corporate and hospitality accounts, we can buy exactly what our customers need, cutting down on the waste and the industry practice of over-ordering.”

Environmental Commitment

Fleurish Florists composts all of its organic waste, recycles office materials and prints on 100 percent recycled paper with soy-based inks–with the goal of becoming a paperless business in the future. Said Cespuglio-Bigler, “This strategy will prove to be a more cost effective way to operate our business in the long-run. We’ll save money on paper costs by using e-mail and the Internet, as well as on energy costs by using more efficient coolers and equipment.”

About Fleurish Florists

As a young design intern, Cespuglio spent nine years pursuing the art of floral design–starting out sweeping floors and cutting flowers, later developing into a talented designer with a Washington D.C. florist that specialized in Capital Hill events. Eventually she went on to become an award-winning registered architect with a Masters of Architecture from the Architectural Association in London.

With a keen business sense, 13-years experience in accounting and project management, and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Susan Cespuglio-Bigler comes to Fleurish Florists with unique insight into the business of floral design. Her work experience with both small- and large-scale clients allows Cespuglio-Bigler to accommodate a full spectrum of needs, from one-on-one client relationships to the largest of wholesalers.

Fleurish Florists does business by appointment only at locations convenient to their clients. To make an appointment, e-mail info@fleurishflorist.com, call (215) 438-3841 or visit www.fleurishflorist.com.

What is Fair Trade?

One World Flowers — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:45:30 +0000

About 80% of the cut flowers sold in the U.S. are grown outside of the country. Workers on these farms are often cheated out of salaries, abused, and taken advantage of by their employers to keep costs low. Fair Trade Certification is a guarantee that the farms will receive a fair price for their flowers, workers are paid and treated properly, and the environment is cared for. Because of Fair Trade, communities can reap the benefits of global trade while building sustainable social, economic, and environmental business practices.