California Sen. Mike McGuire took to the floor of the Senate to urge his colleagues to support California’s flower-farming families by passing Senate Concurrent Resolution 58 declaring June “California Grown Flowers Month.”
In presenting the resolution, McGuire acknowledged California’s hardworking flower farmers for the beauty, variety and economic value their flowers bring the Golden State.
“Today, we are recognizing California as America’s best source for high-quality cut flowers,” Senator Mike McGuire said. “The industry has blossomed since its inception back in the late 1870s. California flower farmers, distributors and florists generate thousands of jobs and drive $12.2 billion in economic activity every year. Our own Humboldt County is one of the largest flower producers in America growing more fresh tulips than anywhere else in the nation.”
As part of the announcement, each senator received a bouquet of California Grown Flowers from McGuire to help commemorate the occasion.
“The month of June is the perfect time to celebrate the beauty and bounty of what our farms grow in California,” explained California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC) CEO & Ambassador Kasey Cronquist. “The resolution helps to remind people that the origin of your flowers does matter and buying California Grown Flowers does make a difference – not only in the quality of the flowers, but also by helping the state’s economy.”
In addition to the resolution, the CCFC is recognizing California Grown Flowers Month with a social media contest on Facebook and Instagram where consumers can enter to win a bouquet of California Grown Flowers each week through the month of June.
The CCFC will also feature retailers like Safeway and its “Blue Bucket Campaign” that highlights the company’s support for and commitment to providing customers with California Grown Flowers. The CCFC recently debuted a video highlighting Safeway's California Grown Flowers campaign for a promotion that has been wildly successful in spotlighting California Grown Flowers in their stores.
The video explains that 74 percent of consumers don’t know where flowers come from, and yet 58 percent would prefer to buy California Grown Flowers. Consumers are in awe of the freshness and variety of California Grown Flowers, explains Crystal Hedgpeth, Floral Sales Manager for Safeway’s NorCal division.
In Northern California Safeway stores, Hedgpeth reports that California Grown Flowers are outselling non-California grown flowers. She says Safeway is proud to support California’s flower farmers and hopes the trend of promoting CA Grown Flowers continues to inspire others to feature the beauty and bounty of California.
# # #
About the California Cut Flower Commission
The California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC) unites the state’s approximately 225 flower farmers to advance California’s $320 million flower industry. In addition to providing cooperative marketing opportunities and administering advocacy efforts, the commission has positioned the California Grown brand as a highly recognizable, consumer-facing brand to drive sales of the state’s fresh flowers and foliage. Learn more at ccfc.org.
Source: California Cut Flower Commission