Though many of us think about local and organic when it comes to the food we put in our bodies, we may not think about the origin or environmental impact of the flowers we give to our loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Every rose has its thorn—and it probably comes with a heavy carbon footprint, too.
“People who buy their produce locally don’t necessarily realize that buying local flowers is just as important,” says Sandi McGinnis-Garcia of McGinnis Ranch, who grows both food and flowers in Watsonville.This Valentine’s Day, you can show your love for local farmers, farmworkers, and the environment by ditching the long-stem roses, thorns and all, and picking what’s fresh and in season.