SAN FRANCISCO, CA- May 7, 2007 "“ This Mother's Day, with nearly 75% of U.S. consumers expected to purchase flowers, environmentally-conscious consumers now have a choice. More than 500 million certified stems of sustainable flowers "“ including roses, tulips and gerberas "“ will be grown in 2007, according to Veriflora, the new eco-certification program for the fresh cut flower trade.

Sales of organic and eco-friendly flowers are expected to exceed $100 million in the next 5 years, according to industry leader, OrganicBouquet.com. "We are now accelerating towards an inevitable tipping point, with increasing supplies of organic flowers in the pipeline, and consumer interest in the environment at the highest point in history," said OrganicBouquet.com CEO Gerald Prolman, the eco-entrepreneur credited with creating the U.S. market for eco- flowers.

Prolman believes that organic flowers are following the same trend as organic produce in the 1990s, when the convergence of increasing supply and consumer demand heralded a massive transformation in the marketplace. The 1994 sale of his previous organic produce company, Made In Nature, to Dole Food Company, helped to accelerate explosive growth in the organic foods market, now estimated to be worth $15 billion in annual sales, and growing more than 15% per year. Organic flowers are the fastest growing sector of the non-food organic market, growing 50% in 2005 to $16 million in sales, according to the Organic Trade Association.

Prolman, whose sales have nearly doubled annually since 2001 when OrganicBouquet.com became the world’s first online eco-florist, said that it wasn’t an easy market to develop. For years he struggled to convince farmers to convert to environmental practices and at the same time garner support from the retail trade. Now, upscale retailers are featuring Organic Bouquet's flowers and farmers from around the world are lining up to supply his company. OrganicBouquet.com currently works with more than 15 growers in five countries, including the U.S., Ecuador and Colombia.

"Growers are increasingly receptive to sustainable production, as consumers are demanding products that meet stringent environmental guidelines and management practices that assure the well-being of the farm workers," said Prolman. "Organic production represents a tremendous growth opportunity for the floral industry."

"Responsible purchasing is a growing theme that is changing the market landscape. Americans are spending $230 billion each year on environmentally responsible purchases," said Prolman. "Conscious consumerism is not a passing fad."

Organic Style

Organic Style

Organic Style Ltd. (www.OrganicStyle.com) is an online eco-boutique for people seeking inspiring products that uphold the well-being of the planet and humankind. Their flagship brand, Organic Bouquet (OrganicBouquet.com) is widely recognized as America’s pioneer of organic and eco-flowers. EcoFlowers.com (www.EcoFlowers.com) is their wholesale division, with customers including florists, retailers, hotels and wedding planners.

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