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Suppliers take on the Canadian Flower Boost Challenge

Horticultural suppliers support frontline workers and flower growers.

May 26, 2020  By Greenhouse Canada



During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, floriculture suppliers and supporters donated their time and efforts not only to support local growers, but to show their appreciation to workers on the front line.

“These difficult times call for some extra kindness to brighten someone’s day and some extra support for local businesses. The Flower Boost Challenge encourages just that,” says Paul Di Ianni, economic development officer for the Town of Lincoln, Ont. “It began at Van der Ende Group, a company in Holland, where employees challenged each other on LinkedIn to buy flowers for colleagues, friends, and family.”

Here were a few highlights spotted on social media over the past few months:

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During the outbreak, Prins Greenhouses donated tulips from Pioneer Flowers to the frontline staff at Niagara Health’s St. Catharines General Hospital. Paul Boers donated orchids from CosMic Plants to workers at Bethesda Services in Vineland, Ont., who provide services to those with special needs.

“The #FlowerBoostChallenge is a great initiative to help boost the floral industry during these difficult times, and put a smile on the faces of people receiving the flowers.” ~ Prins Greenhouses & Paul Boers

Priva North America donated bouquets from Orchardcreek Greenhouses to healthcare professionals at Niagara Health in St. Catharines, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Grimsby and Chatham-Kent Health Alliance in Chatham and Wallaceburg.


“It was truly satisfying to see the appreciation and positive responses from these healthcare professionals [with] a small gesture. The real appreciation is for these hard-working frontline professionals working so selflessly to help #flattenthecurve …A special thanks to Dave Taylor and Dennis Massender for getting these flowers out to the Southwestern Ontario locations.”
~ Priva North America

 

Hoogendoorn America donated 400 orchids from CosMic Plants to Niagara Emergency Medical Services.

“This generous donation was such a welcome boost to the entire staff at Niagara EMS. Can’t thank Hoogendoorn America Inc. and CosMic Plants Inc. enough! #flowerboostchallenge #canadianflowerboostchallenge” ~ Bryce Brunarski, Superintendent of Public Relations and Affairs, Niagara EMS

“We truly appreciate the brave health care workers who are fighting daily for our well-being, while risking exposure to the virus. …Moreover, with these flowers of gratitude, we supported the Canadian flower sector at this challenging time. These difficult circumstances affect us all, therefore we would like to encourage organizations and individuals to buy flowers and to spread some joy #canadianflowerboostchallenge.” ~ Hoogendoorn America

 

Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton teamed up with local orchid grower, CosMic Plants, to bring this viral challenge to Canada and announced the #CanadianFlowerBoostChallenge by gifting flowers to town hall staff.

“Flower growers in Niagara employ thousands of people and have experienced dramatic hardships during this time, with lay-offs and a major downturn in sales. This is a fantastic opportunity for people to provide a boost in business and bring brightness to the community. It is the hope that if many people take part in this small gesture of kindness, it will have a larger impact on the economy and our local flower growers.” ~ Paul Di Ianni, Town of Lincoln


Thank you to everyone who shared their images with us for publication.


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