Greenbelt Flower Hubs: Niagara Flower Farm Collective

As part of the Sustainable Cut Flowers Direct – Greenbelt initiative, we are sharing stories of three collaborative selling hubs that connect growers in Ontario’s Greenbelt region with florists and designers looking for fresh, local blooms. Read our profiles of The Local Flower Collective and The Millgrove Flower Hub.

Niagara Flower Farm Collective, Niagara

For years, Heather and Jen, two local flower farmers, bandied about an idea—a collaboration with other growers that would make it easier for local designers to access their flowers. They knew designers in Niagara were driving to these farms on a regular basis, quite often on the same day, and simplifying pickup would be a boon for everyone. 

In 2024, this seed of an idea finally took root to form the Niagara Flower Farm Collective (NFCC). The NFCC is a not-for-profit collective, focused on streamlining sales of high quality, cut flowers to event designers and florists in the area. The group is made up of eight experienced, small-scale, ecologically focused flower growers–all based in Niagara and the surrounding region, with several located in the protected Greenbelt. 

Niagara’s Bountiful Greenbelt

With its unique microclimate and deep, sandy soils, the Niagara region occupies a vital place in Ontario’s agricultural landscape. Known for its tender fruit orchards and vineyards, it’s also home to plentiful and diverse flower farms. As population growth and commercial development put pressure on the region’s farmland and sensitive ecosystems, sustainable cut flower growers across the Niagara Escarpment and protected countryside are enriching biodiversity, supporting pollinators, and caring for the soil—all while strengthening the local economy. By connecting these blooms to designers in key markets, NFCC helps ensure that rural communities remain both vibrant and sustainable.

How it Works

The hub operates with a simple model and no paid staff. Using the Open Food Network platform, each farm maintains their own inventory and invoices their own customers. Growers bring their orders to a shared cooler at Feeder Flower Farm before Wednesday pickups, and buyers can stop by on Wednesday or Thursday to collect their labelled orders. 

Now a year into their collective, the group’s priority is to continue strengthening the connection between growers and designers—learning what their buyers need and finding ways to meet those needs. Looking ahead, the hub hopes to expand to include delivery options, sustainable floral supplies and mechanics, retail bulk buckets for DIY brides, and possibly workshops. 

Acknowledgement

We are grateful for the support of the Greenbelt Foundation in helping us promote local flower farms and marketplaces. For more information about how the Greenbelt Foundation is working to ensure Ontario’s 2-million acre Greenbelt remains permanent, protected, and prosperous, visit www.greenbelt.ca.