Greenbelt Flower Hubs: The Local Flower Collective

The Local Flower Collective, Toronto

The Local Flower Collective was founded in 2018 by two Toronto-based florists with a shared vision: to support specialty cut flower growers in Ontario and promote environmentally conscious design practices. Today, the Collective has grown into a flourishing, member-run marketplace made up of local growers and florists who are passionate about unique, seasonal, and sustainably grown flowers.

While primarily focused on business-to-business wholesale, the group has expanded to offer membership options for hobby florists or one-time buyers, as well online workshops, and floral design services for weddings and events. Part of their vision is to continue spreading change by educating the public on the ecological, social, and ethical value of buying locally grown flowers.

At a Glance

Location: Toronto
Founded: 2018
Members:  89 growers and florists
Focus: Local flower distribution, ecological growing, sustainable floral design
Highlights:

• Weekly wholesale marketplace via Open Food Network
• Shared studio space for pickup, design work, and workshops
• Prop rental service for weddings, events, and member use

Bringing Greenbelt Blooms to the City

One of The Collective’s primary goals is to make local and ecologically friendly flowers more accessible in Toronto and the GTA, where demand for unique, seasonal blooms is high. With 750,000 acres of rich, protected farmland, Ontario’s Greenbelt is perfectly positioned to help meet this need. Many of The Collective’s growers are located in the Oak Ridges Moraine north of Toronto, or dotted across the protected countryside of the Greenbelt. Along with promoting sustainability in the floral industry, connecting rural growers with urban buyers helps to keep small businesses thriving!

How it Works

With a focus on business-to-business wholesale, The Collective organizes dozens of ecological flower growers and high-end floral designers into a thriving short-chain distribution network. Each week from May to October, participating growers list their freshly harvested blooms on the Open Food Network platform. 

Designers place their orders, which are delivered to a shared studio space in the city’s west end. There, orders are picked up at set times, creating a reliable and community-driven distribution rhythm. A small administrative mark-up helps cover the cost of the shared space, while growers set their own transportation fees, ensuring full transparency.

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.