In This Issue ...

1. CalFlowers Offers Promotional Opportunity 
2. Now More than Ever, We Need to Petal It Forward
3. World Floral Expo Announces New
4. "2022" Dates
5. "New Member"
6. Spotlight
7. Transportation
8. Welcome New CalFlowers Members

Upcoming Events:

October 2021

Petal It Forward
October 20, 2021

November 2021

California State Floral Association Presents:
CaliFlora 2021
November 6 & 7
Carlsbad Floral Trade Center
Carlsbad, CA

2022
SAVE THE DATE

Fun 'N Sun
"All About Flowers"
Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, 2022
Hotel del Coronado
Coronado, CA

Click Here to Rediscover the California legend - Hotel del Coronado.

World Floral Expo 2022
March 9 - 11
Jacob J. Javits Center of New York

Latest Legislation
Updates:

Click Here to read the latest Legislative updates.

October Flowers
of The Month:

The October birth flowers are the marigold and cosmos.

Both of the October birth flowers marigolds and 
cosmos are colorful annuals that thrive in full sun. Learn the symbolism behind each 
flower!

MARIGOLDS

Marigolds traditionally symbolized despair and
grief over a loved one. It may be surprising that such a cheerful flower is associated with the dead. However, for many cultures, its those neon-bright orange and yellow hues that represent the sun rays or light paths that guide their dearly departed.

The bright orange and yellow hues also represent the beauty and warmth of the rising Sun, and its power to resurrect.

Today, we often focus more on sunny colors of the marigold, representing optimism and prosperity.

COSMOS

Cosmos are a symbol of order, peace, and serenity.

The name Cosmos comes from the Greek kosmos, meaning order, harmony, or the world.

Spanish mission priests in Mexico cultivated cosmos in the mission gardens, and gave it this name because of its “evenly placed petals.” 

Not only is order and harmony expressed in the blossom’s symmetry, grace, and simplicity, but also in the symmetrically balanced, regularly-doubled production of leaf and blossom stems. 

CalFlowers
Featured
"New Member" Spotlights

To see all of our past Featured "New Member" Spotlight stories Click Here.

If your company would like to be a featured "New Member", please contact Monnaie Pepin for more details.

Past CalFlowers Newsletters 

Click Here to view past CalFlowers Newsletters now available on our website.

CalFlowers News

CalFlowers Offers Promotional Opportunity

You are invited to advertise in the CalFlowers 2022 - 2023 Membership Directory. This is an excellent promotional opportunity for your organization to be seen throughout the industry. (You do not need to be a member of CalFlowers to advertise).

Why should I advertise in the 2022-2023 

• Membership Directory?Advertising space starting as low as $100.00.
• Provides year-long exposure to nearly 900 members, including wholesalers, retailers and large volume buyers nationwide.
• The directory is a vital resource used on a daily basis by companies seeking information essential to their operations.
• Your advertising dollars go directly to producing and publishing the highest quality product for the membership.
• The deadline for your Ad Insertion Order is 10/30/21.
• All artwork needs to be in by 11/5/21.

Click Here to download the Ad Insertion Order.  If you have questions please contact Lani at (831) 479-4912 Ext. 2 or via email at [email protected]. 

Now More Than Ever, We Need To Petal It Forward

For the last six years, thousands of floral industry members in all 50 states have organized their teams on one day in October to take part in Petal It Forward, SAF’s goodwill initiative where participants hand two flowers or bouquets to an unsuspecting stranger, urging them to keep one and share the other with someone else. It’s a powerful way to illustrate the positive health benefits of giving and receiving flowers. Science has proven that flowers reduce stress and anxiety and make people happy. Let’s come together as an industry and spread the power of flowers.

Since it launched in 2015, Petal It Forward has been a flexible, highly customizable event. This year, we have a host of new tools to help you comply with pandemic restrictions. With targeted adaptations and updated support materials and guidance, SAF feels confident members can plan safe, successful giveaways – that not only bring joy to the flower recipients but also boost morale at all of the participating businesses.

Click Here to learn more.

World Floral Expo Announces New "2022" Dates

World Floral Expo announced its new show dates for 2022.  Covid-19 was the cause for the earlier rescheduling of the international flower trade show, but organizers hope and trust that this time it can finally take place.

The dates that were confirmed have been set for Wednesday, March 9 - Friday, March 11 in 2022 in the Jacob J. Javits Center of New York.  You will be able to find all the latest news updates on the website of the show www.worldfloralexpo.com.

We look forward to seeing you next year at World Floral Expo 2022 in New York City! 

"New Member" Spotlight

Blomgården is an Alaskan peony farm owned by Lynden Grothe.  They are in Trapper Creek, Alaska, which is a small community three hours North of Anchorage.  Lynden is a lifelong Alaskan resident who grew up in a mining (gold and tin) and fishing family on Kodiak Island and Nome, Alaska. 

Blomgården is a woman-owned, family-run, wholesale peony business.  Their farm is located across the street from the Dale Saunders Sandhill Crane Sanctuary.  Imagine being surrounded by 6,000 peony plants while hundreds of sandhill cranes pass overhead on their migration South.  It truly is a charmed life. 

Lynden (pictured left with her 4 children and 2 dogs) decided to go into the flower farming business so that her children could learn about agriculture and business. She has four sons who were also born and raised in Alaska, and Lynden homeschools them.  They are part of a large thriving homeschool community in Alaska and her vision for Blomgården was to have a place where young people could go to get their hands in the dirt and learn how to grow things.  Her family is learning the peony farming business together.  The former farm owners, Bryan, and Marilyn Hoffman are wonderful teachers and Blomgården has successfully completed their first peony season under their tutelage.

Blomgården specializes in five varieties of peony: Duchess de Nemours, Monsieur Jules Elie, Elsa, Sarah Bernhardt and Festivas.  The growing season runs from late June to the end of August.

Right now, they ship their peonies to wholesale clients in four different states.  They are very excited to be part of the CalFlowers family.  If you want to contact Blomgården, please visit their website at www.blomgarden.com or send them an email at [email protected]. 

Transportation

Logistics across the U.S. is still in a bit of a mess currently.  Carriers over all segments are under increasing pressure from many sources.  Our overnight carriers, like other segments, are struggling greatly with labor and operational issues.  When you combine that challenge with record volumes being shipped into their systems, it becomes understandable that consistency is suffering across the board.  Unfortunately, these challenging times are expected to continue into the near-term future especially with holiday season upon us.  With that, we recommend having patience and looking carefully at the service level you choose when evaluating delivery time options with our carriers.  We strongly suggest choosing the highest priority service available.  This will give your shipment the highest level of service that delivers earlier, as this helps to keep you and your customers expectations in line with the current environment.

FedEx has released a statement outlining the steps they are taking to help alleviate the backlog and delays in their system. 
Click Here for more information.

As is normally the case in October, weather can be an issue.  We recommend checking with FedEx for any Service Alerts that can affect shipping:  https://www.fedex.com/en-us/service-alerts.html.  These Service Alerts are issued daily and can be helpful in managing your expectations during inclement weather

As a reminder, CalFlowers members have access to the FedEx Money Back Guarantee (MBG). This MBG currently applies only to Priority Overnight (P1) and Standard Overnight (SO) .  The CalFlowers / FedEx version of the MBG states that if your package is delivered later that 1 hour after the normal scheduled delivery time for the service chosen, P1 or SO, members can request via on-line, a 100% shipping cost credit.  For more details or questions, please contact Chris Johnson at [email protected].

As costs rise for our carriers, you will see surcharges rise as well across the board.  For those members wanting to reference the latest FedEx Surcharges and Fees CLICK HERE.  We have also posted this information on our website CLICK HERE  where members can find a handy summary of what to expect.  Remember, CalFlowers members have many significant discounts off of these surcharges which add excellent value to our program.  For a list our surcharge discounts, please refer to the FedEx Program Summary on our website

For qualifying members wanting to contact their local FedEx representative, feel free to contact me and I will put you in touch with the right person.  It’s always a good idea to establish a relationship with your local FedEx field representatives who can help out when you need them or have questions.  

To all our new members who are just starting with FedEx shipping, they have a nice “Customer Training” service that is available upon request.  This service offers shippers direct one-on-one assistance from FedEx covering many of the questions new shippers may have.  If you are interested in signing up, please contact Chris Johnson [email protected].  FedEx also has some excellent information for new shippers on their website.  Visit: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/get-started.html for a good summary of what FedEx offers

For members needing FedEx Tech Support, this phone number takes your right into the department (877) 339-2774.  They can help with many tech related issues including guidance regarding on-line shipping platforms.

We would also like to remind members to stay current with their FedEx Express shipping invoices. FedEx payment terms are 15 days.  All members shipping on FedEx Express are expected to stay within the FedEx payment terms.  To obtain your invoice details and payment options, please contact FedEx Customer Service.

Currently GLS is reporting record volumes.  Combine this with labor shortages causing operational challenges, on-time deliveries in some areas can be affected.

The good news here is that even though GLS has not officially re-instated their Money Back Guarantee (shipping costs), they HAVE amended that policy for CalFlowers members.  Our agreement with GLS now states that they will credit shipping costs to member shippers if the shipment is not delivered on the scheduled day of delivery.  Members will need to request this within 48 hours by contacting customer service.  To do this, members can email: [email protected].  Include your account number, tracking number and explanation.  Let them know you are seeking shipping charges credited.

Regarding claims on product (inside the box), Generally speaking, GLS will entertain a claim if the box is missing / lost or damage is present on the exterior of the package.  GLS will not generally process a claim simply if a box is delivered late.  For complete details, please visit www.gls-us.com

The CalFlowers GLS program is one of our fastest growing, most value-priced offerings, with discounts over 70% off standard rates.  GLS offers later pick-ups and earlier deliveries while providing express door-to-door services covering CA, AZ, NV, OR, WA, NM, UT and ID.  Members who want to ship on GLS must sign up in advance. It’s easy and just takes a few minutes.  Please contact Chris Johnson for more details at (760) 533-5580 or [email protected].   

Please use the Delivery Rates & Times Calculator to view delivery dates and estimated.

We know that OnTrac got their start in California and services every ZIP code within California, but did you know OnTrac also services seven other Western States?  OnTrac has 2-day service into WA, OR, ID, NV, UT, AZ, and CO.  And to help understand the service parameters, OnTrac has a very nice “Time and Transit Map” under Zip Tools on their website.  This handy map loaded from YOUR zip code helps you understand OnTrac’s overnight commitment areas.  To download your map, please visit: https://www.ontrac.com/servicesareas.asp.

Changes to Our Service Guarantee
The Money-Back Service Guarantee on OnTrac is still suspended.

For more information on OnTrac, please contact Chris Johnson at [email protected].

Airlines: 

If you have been taking advantage of our new CalFlowers/Alaska Airlines shipping program, you know this offering really delivers when it comes to value.  Our program offers excellent pricing to many areas of the country from California, while adding a few new destinations such as Seattle, Portland and Anchorage. Check out all the program details on our website.

As a reminder, JetBlue offers CalFlowers members exceptional express prices out of LAX / SFO to Boston, New York, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Puerto Rico and now NEWARK (EWR). 

These new rates are some of the best that we’ve see in some time.  For more information, please contact Chris Johnson at [email protected] or Mark Friedenthal at JetBlue Cargo (310) 490-2659.

NOTE: Transportation Rate information and documents are viewable/downloadable as PDFs on the CalFlowers Members Only site. Please note that these documents are considered sensitive material and are available to the primary contacts for Ag Buddy, Associate Floral, Associate Grower, and Floral members.

Welcome New CalFlowers Members

We are pleased to welcome the following new CalFlowers members from September 16 through October 10, 2021:

www.cafgs.org 

Ph. 831-479-4912 | Fax 831-479-4914