With this year’s Petal It Forward date set for Oct. 23, growers and breeders say planning ahead leads to a successful event and a meaningful experience about the power of flowers for staff.
For Sakata Seed America, Petal It Forward resonates with its mission statement, “To contribute sustainably to the betterment of life and culture of people around the world,” said Jamie Kitz, a key account sales manager and corporate citizenship specialist for the breeder of ornamental and vegetable seeds and plants. Last year, Sakata partnered with grower Kitayama Brothers who provided and bundled 250 bouquets and helped hand out the flowers in downtown Monterey, even taking some to a retirement home.
Partnering with Kitayama also creates a customer synergy that elevates enthusiasm for the program, said Kitz, who advises handing out the flowers anywhere with a lot of foot traffic at lunch time, such as walking malls or restaurants.
“It’s a great opportunity for community interaction,” she said. “Take your most energetic people who smile a lot and who aren’t afraid to approach people.”
Read more at the Society of American Florists (Renee Houston Zemanski)