The Gift of Flowers

Passion often leads to purpose, and this month, that purpose came in the form of giving the Gift of Flowers.

We love flower farming here in California, especially in the springtime when there are so many varieties to choose from and the colors are amazing. Our farm's shipping department was brought to a stand-still by the Coronavirus Pandemic and suddenly we had an excess of flowers in the cooler. Rather than simply tossing the flowers we decided to make the best of the situation.

Knowing that there are still other essential businesses open and operating in the community, we dropped flowers off at a nearby doctor’s office and retirement home. Extra flowers were added to the orders still going out so customers could spread some joy in their communities as well.

A truck load of flowers was delivered to the University of California’s payroll center in Riverside, CA for a team building bouquet-making exercise. Workstations were set up (at the required 6 feet distance apart) in the training room so 16 employees could learn about the flowers being grown in the community and create their own special protea bouquet. It was just what the doctor ordered. A perfect morale booster. And as it turned out during the exercise, California Governor Newsome announced his "stay at home order" to go into effect the next day. All 16 employees went back to their desks with big smiles on their faces and their bouquets... that would soon become their home workstation centerpieces.

Obviously, flowers won’t make the Coronavirus go away, nor will they make the uncertainty surrounding the situation disappear. But spreading positivity and plenty of cheer is essential during these challenging and unprecedented times.

The Grateful Table

It’s always a treat to attend ‘Farm to Fork – Field to Vase' events, but this week, in a vineyard right on the 50-yard line between Napa and Sonoma, CA, the human spirit came together in a very unique and special way. Over 500 people gathered in the Napa-Sonoma Wine Country community to honor and support people affected by what was the largest wild fire in the history of California. Farmers, chefs, floral designers, and tourism officials, were in attendance and most importantly, the first responders, the fire fighters, police force, EMTs, even dispatchers who received 1000’s of phone calls for help amidst the October blazes.

Visit California, Outstanding in the Field and destination partners Visit Napa Valley, Sonoma County Tourism, and Visit Mendocino County sponsored what was called ‘The Grateful Table’. In many ways this event marked the beginning of the recovery in the wine country with 100 percent of the proceeds going towards fire recovery efforts.

It was the perfect fall day, blue skies and a vineyard shimmering in vibrant autumn hues. The flowers that garnished the table ‘fit for a King’ were simply stunning. We're grateful to the California farms that donated all the flowers, Syndicate Sales Inc. for the vases, Jessup for providing the transportation and Torchio Nursery who kindly received the boxes. And, a huge thank you to the lead floral design team Venn Floral and the amazing designers who volunteered their time to help make sure the flowers at the center of the table are as beautiful as our treasured wine country! It was a fabulous way to start the Thanksgiving week and let the world know that the Napa-Sonoma communities spirit is uncrushable.