On March 6, in honor of National Staff Appreciation Day, we did something new. For the first time as a company, we closed both of our locations early, gathered our team together, and dedicated the afternoon to connection, recognition, and a shared sense of purpose.
What began with a simple cookout quickly became something more meaningful. With burgers and dogs on the grill and everyone gathered in one place, the afternoon offered a rare opportunity to slow down, enjoy a meal together, and connect across departments. Throughout the event, team members also took time to write personal notes at our Driver Appreciation Card Station, recognizing the important role our drivers play ahead of their own appreciation week later in March.
Tom & Kim Jennings
Owners, Green Mountain Floral SupplyWhile the tone was relaxed and celebratory, the day also reflected something deeper about who we are as a company. We shared an overview of our ongoing commitment to sustainability-what we call Blooming with Purpose-and how that work extends beyond our walls and into the broader floral industry. From composting an average of 16 large bins each week (just in South Burlington alone) to reusing cardboard boxes and minimizing waste across operations, sustainability has long been embedded in how we do business.
We also highlighted our involvement at the industry level through organizations like the American Floral Endowment and its Sustainabloom initiative, which provides research-driven tools and education to help move floriculture toward a more sustainable future. As a company we recently provided feedback on their draft of a new Sustainability Planning Template for Wholesale Florists. And as an early participant in Sustainabloom’s Wholesale Nickel Program, we’re proud to contribute directly to these efforts in a way that supports long-term impact.
A special moment of the afternoon was the introduction of our Sustainability and Community Impact Intern, Clara Weis, who has already made a meaningful contribution to our team. Clara led an interactive activity-The Amazing Waste Race-where staff worked in teams to sort materials into compost, recycling, and trash. It was fast-paced, hands-on, and eye-opening (especially when it came to separating rubber bands from floral waste!).
The energy continued with a “Trash to Treasure” team art challenge, where groups were given a surprise assortment of materials sourced from around our facility and tasked with creating something entirely new. The results were as imaginative as they were impressive-from a full wearable outfit complete with accessories, to a hanging installation and a custom tote bag. It was a reminder of the creativity that lives within our team every day.
As the afternoon wrapped up, each staff member received a handwritten note of thanks along with a small token of appreciation-a simple but important gesture to recognize the hard work and dedication that drives our company forward.
We’re grateful for the team that makes it all possible, and we’re already looking forward to making this a new tradition.
