Women Leading Change:
The Local Flower Collective
In this video series, get to know the women behind The Local Flower Collective, a unique, sustainability-focused wholesaler changing the way flowers are grown and distributed in the Greater Toronto Area.
Leading Change in Flower Farming
The Local Flower Collective was established in 2018 with the goal of supporting specialty cut flower growers in Ontario and promoting environmentally conscious design practices. Five years later, The Collective is run by a flourishing community of local growers and florists that are passionate about celebrating the entire stage of a flower’s life – seed to vase! In this short film, meet coordinator Jaimie Reeves and learn how The Local Flower Collective is leading the way to build a more sustainable flower industry in Canada.
Inside The Local Flower Collective
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. Located in Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood, The Collective’s studio is a hub of activity from May to October as the fields are in full flush during these months. During this time, the studio becomes a space where: growers drop off their weekly harvests for florist pickups, a communal design studio is available for rent by The Collective, and a prop rental atelier for weddings, workshops, and events.
Working with Open Food Network
As a non-profit and social purpose organization, the role of Open Food Network Canada is to work with local food and farming enterprises to scale fair, local, and sustainable agrifood initiatives in communities across Canada. The Collective uses the Open Food Network ecommerce platform to supply GTA designers and florists with flowers from farms throughout the Golden Horseshoe region. Designers log on to the platform to access an aggregate product inventory and place their orders. Growers then make weekly deliveries from their farms to The Collective’s studio space.
It’s not a traditional wholesaler… I think the difference is there’s much more of a connection between the buyer and the grower. We want to create that community as opposed to the disconnect.
Meet the Flower Farmers
The growers and farmers of The Collective focus on growing quality and specialty blooms, using ethical and environmentally safe practices. Their operations range in size from a collection of small plots in the west end of Toronto to acres in Prince Edward County.
We’d like to introduce you to a few of them.
Field Notes
Flora Grey
Based in Grey County, Ontario, Flora Grey produces a merriment of sustainably grown cut flowers.
Garden Party Flower Farm
Located in St. Agatha, Ontario, Garden Party grows over 4 acres of Free Range Flowers for florists, events, and flower lovers.
Heirloom Heather
Heirloom Heather is an eco-conscious flower farm and studio, growing and designing flowers with intention in Pickering, Ontario.
Ingénue
Ingénue is a fine art floriculture studio and seasonal farm, located in the fields of West Grey, Ontario.
The Little Farm That Could
The Little Farm That Could is an organic market garden, growing micro-greens, vegetables, and flowers in Campbellford, Ontario.
About the Video Series
Open Food Network Canada is working with award-winning videographer Craig Conoley to celebrate some of the diverse small-scale distribution networks that are thriving across Canada, led by women entrepreneurs with a vision for change. In a series of short documentary films, Women Leading Change introduces the women behind these projects, profiles the farms who take part, and shows up close how short supply chains and regenerative agriculture offer solutions for the future.
Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the AgriCommunication Program.
