Ecostems is a flower shop in Corktown, Toronto, Canada. They write their name as eco|stems and describe themselves as “an environmentally and socially sustainable flower shop.” Located at the heart of Toronto’s business and commercial zone, Ecostems offers online ordering options and delivery services beyond their brick-and-mortar retail outlet. Their homepage displays an array of flower arrangements, some of which are breathtakingly beautiful. Besides, they have terrariums, other plants, gift cards, and other gift items. Ecostems are open seven days a week: from 9 in the morning to 7 in the evening on weekdays and from 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Claim to Sustainability
Intrigued by the flower shop’s claim to be socially and environmentally sustainable, I did some research. Ecostems have a right to claim they are responsible to the environment and society at large because they are a Fair Trade organization. Fairtrade International is a nonprofit organization involving multiple stakeholders. They aim to empower farmers, artisans, workers, and other local producers. Fairtrade seeks to do that by building local capacities.On the other hand, they directly connect local producers with consumers to increase their control of trading terms. Fairtrade promotes ecological responsibility and social equity. To be a Fairtrade organization, any company has to abide by these principles. Fairtrade Canada was founded in 1997 as the Canadian national branch of Fairtrade International. As a certified Fairtrade Canada organization, Ecostems is thus a flower shop that conducts its business with a commitment to ecological responsibility and social equity. They sell only organically grown flowers and plants and source them from local farmers and nurseries following fairtrade principles.