September 2025 Newsletter

September 17, 2025

Posted By: Jordan Richardson in CalFlowers Newsletters,

Furry Friends & Florals Photo Contest

Thank you to everyone who joined in this year’s Furry Friends & Florals photo contest! We were delighted by the many flower-filled, tail-wagging entries. Each one is guaranteed to brighten your day. You can browse the full album by clicking the button below and follow along on our social channels for more highlights.

Now for the big reveal… Congratulations to Kelly of Flourishing Bouquets, whose entry featuring Ben, the farm’s ever-dutiful “supervisor,” earned the grand prize! Kelly will receive a complimentary registration for Fun ‘N Sun 2026, a canvas print of the winning photo, and a featured spot in the upcoming CalFlowers Membership Directory. And of course, Ben has been named CalFlowers’ newest Employee of the Month!

View All Photo Entries

Floral News

22 Students Receive AFE Scholarships

This year, thanks to the generosity of industry donors and supporters, the American Floral Endowment is proud to award a record $74,000 in scholarships, up from $67,600 in 2024. With 26 awards given to 22 students, the scholarships ease the financial burden of education, but more importantly, reaffirms the upcoming industry talent by believing in their potential. CalFlowers directly supports this important program through our CalFlowers Scholarship Fund. This year, we are pleased to highlight the two awardees of our scholarship: Anya Nygaard, University of California, Davis & Jada Sanchez, California State University, Fresno.

“This scholarship is an incredible support of my work in sustainable agriculture and horticulture,” said Nygaard. “It not only eases the financial burden of my education but also motivates me to keep pushing forward towards a future where science empowers lasting change in how we live and grow.” Click here to read more.

CalFlowers Renews Commitment to Life in Bloom

“I had the privilege of making a presentation to the CalFlowers Board of Directors, outlining the opportunities that Life in Bloom creates for benefitting flower sales,” said J. “We are truly grateful that the Board confirmed their commitment to remaining as a major Underwriter for Season 9 - which will be filmed in 2026 and be broadcast in 2027. Production of each season happens about a year ahead of its broadcast, so greenlighting their support of the show is essential and so very much appreciated.”

“Currently, we are editing Season 8 shows which will premiere in April of 2026,” continued J. Look for several CalFlowers’ Members and businesses in the new season including: Jeanne Bose and the New San Francisco Flower Market, Barbara Schnur at Mayesh, Robin van der Schaaf of 2 Plant, Ivor and Rene Van Wingerden, and Michael Furlong at Ocean Breeze Farms, and Joost Bongaerts and his team at Florabundance.

Behind the Bloom Podcast

With generous help from CalFlowers, J’s “Behind the Bloom” Podcast debuted across all major podcast platforms on September 1, 2025. Look for it wherever you download podcasts. It may also be found on YouTube (“like” J’s Channel to be notified when new podcasts drop) and on uBloom.com. Click here to read more.

Do you have floral news you want to share with the CalFlowers community?

Please contact us.

Transportation Updates

Important FedEx Updates:

As a follow-up to Chris' email two weeks ago regarding Pick-up fees, that information is still the best information we have to this date. If you have a regular scheduled daily pick-up with FedEx, you will see a fee somewhere around $34.00. To get around this fee we suggest using FedEx On-Call to schedule a pick-up when needed. You can do this online, or by phone. By using this method, you should not see a fee applied to your invoice. If you do see a pick-up fee, please let Chris know by emailing chris@cafgs.org. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

We have just received confirmation of the FedEx General Rate Increase (GRI) for 2026. Effective January 5, FedEx will implement a 5.9% overall rate increase. In addition, we anticipate that new surcharges and/or fee adjustments will be announced in the near future. Updated rate sheets will be available during the first week of January. As further details become available, we will share updates promptly to keep you informed.

For those of you that haven’t heard, FedEx is spinning off its Freight (pallet) business. Most FedEx Freight accounts are stand-alone agreements, as is ours, but those with integrated Freight accounts will see some changes. How does this affect CalFlowers? No changes as of today but more information will be coming. We foresee that we would simply sign another stand-alone Freight agreement hopefully with higher discounts and the move should be fairly seamless to shipping members. Read here for more details.

With the Summer season winding down, it’s no surprise hot conditions nationwide are still upon us. It’s an essential practice to check for any service delays or alerts before you ship, and the best resource for that information can be found here. Knowing what to expect before you ship can limit any unexpected delays and headaches.

FedEx International Shipping:

See here for an excellent resource from FedEx that walks shippers through the process step by step. First time international shippers inherently have questions on the process and paperwork required. If you'd like to talk to someone in person whether on the phone or at FedEx office, assistance available when needed.

Additional Reminders:

Although FedEx First Overnight is available to any FedEx customer, it is HIGHLY recommended that you do not select this service unless it is absolutely necessary and you fully understand the pricing. FedEx First Overnight (8am) is a remarkable service but please understand FedEx does not discount this option. Rates are VERY expensive and cannot be re-rated once shipped.

Did you know that our Priority Overnight rates (10:30am delivery), typically are only a few dollars more than Standard Overnight? The Standard Overnight delivery commitment is around 5 hours later (3:30pm), which can make a difference with many varieties in terms of arrival condition. Take a look - you will be surprised how close these rates are.

Your shipping platform may not allow you to book a shipment to arrive on Saturday. To get around this, shippers need to go to FedEx.comand book it manually. This will allow Saturday delivery zones and times to show up.

You can have your shipments held at your nearby FedEx Office instead of being delivered to your door. Having shipments held at your local FedEx office can help with temperature management since your boxes will be stored in a temperature-controlled office rather than riding in a truck all morning. It’s also true that you can drop off your shipments at your local FedEx office. This can be an advantage for some parts of the country where having your packages standing by in a FedEx office is preferable to being in a truck for hours.

For those wanting to know who your FedEx representative is, or if you want to be contacted by FedEx, please email Chris Johnson with your FedEx account number and he will respond with your FedEx contact. It’s a good practice to establish a relationship with your FedEx representative. They can be of great assistance when needed.

Find the latest news from FedEx here.

Call (877) 339-2774 for FedEx’s tech support team, who can help with many tech-related issues including guidance regarding on-line shipping platforms.

Surcharges & Claims Resources:

For those members looking for general information on Surcharges and Claims, the following resources can be helpful.

This first resource offers information regarding surcharges and fees. Keep in mind that the CalFlowers program offers members MANY surcharge and fee reductions that are significantly lower than these standard surcharges, however it’s still a good reference point and has some clear definitions on what each fee/surcharge is. If you would like a summary of your program surcharge/fee discounts and waivers, please check our website or email Chris Johnson for a copy.

The second resource is very helpful when you need to file a claim for damaged or lost product. Keep in mind, a product claim is different from our Money Back Guarantee, which applies to shipping charges and is handled differently. Product claims are more involved and can be confusing, but this resource helps navigate the process.

FedEx New Member Resources:

New members who are just starting with FedEx shipping can utilize the “Customer Training” service that is available upon request. This service offers shippers direct one-on-one assistance from FedEx covering many of the questions new shippers may have. If you are interested in signing up, please contact Chris Johnson. Visit this webpage for excellent information for new shippers and a summary of FedEx's offerings.

We would like to remind members to stay current with their FedEx Express shipping invoices. FedEx payment terms are 15 days. All members shipping on FedEx Express are expected to stay within the FedEx payment terms. Failure to stay current with FedEx risks your account being delinked from the program. For more information on this issue, contact Chris Johnson, Director of Transportation. To obtain your invoice details and payment options, please contact FedEx Customer Service.

GLS Updates & Transit Map:

In case you missed it, We’ve introduced NEW GLS Ground rates exclusively for our members. This service covers the entire domestic U.S. and is ideal for non-perishable items, though perishable goods can also be shipped. Our rates are highly discounted and available to all shipping members.

For complete pricing and additional details, please email Chris Johnson.

The CalFlowers GLS program is one of our popular, most value-priced offerings, with discounts well over 70% off standard rates. GLS offers later pick-ups and earlier deliveries while providing express door-to-door services covering CA, AZ, NV, OR, WA, NM, UT, and ID. Members who want to ship on GLS must sign up in advance. It’s easy and just takes a few minutes. Please contact Chris Johnson for more details at (760) 533-5580 or chris@cafgs.org.

Check out the GLS interactive Time-in-Transit map. Plug in your ZIP code and a handy map will show you your 1-day, 2-day transportation options.

GLS Program Improvements:

GLS has been very receptive to our requests for program improvements. They have added the following features to our program for members to utilize when shipping Priority.

GLS will now honor product claims. If GLS is at fault (acts of God, not included) and the product arrives damaged, significantly late, or just missing, members now can file a claim. We highly recommend member shippers to indicate the correct Declared Value to be covered.

GLS will credit 100% of shipping costs if your shipment is not delivered on the day promised. Bad weather is excluded. Members will need to request this within 48 hours at customerservice@gls-us.com.

GLS has given our account access to a special premium team of Customer Service agents. This high-level group was designed for fast response and problem solving. Please contact Chris Johnson for access to this important resource.

GLS has an updated website. Additionally, try this handy Delivery Rates & Times Calculator to view delivery dates and estimated time of arrival.

Alaska Air Cargo Program:

As you may know, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are merging. Due to this merger, Alaska has asked us to pause adding new shippers to our program while they combine operational systems. This pause is temporary, and we will notify members when we get the “go ahead” to add shippers to this signature program.

Alaska has also been keeping shippers up to date on the progress of the merger. Click HERE for the latest in booking and information.

If you've been using our new CalFlowers/Alaska Airlines shipping program, you’ve likely experienced its exceptional value. This program provides outstanding rates to numerous regions nationwide, including shipments from California, Portland, Seattle, and Alaska.

For 2025, we have renewed our contract with Alaska Cargo and are pleased to announce no change in pricing! Look for more information coming soon and be sure to explore all program details on our website.

Did you know Alaska Airlines provides one of the most comprehensive intra-California services, with San Diego serving as its largest hub in the state? Even better, through our exclusive partnership with Alaska Airlines, we offer truly exceptional rates that you won’t find anywhere else. Click HERE for the latest Alaska Air Cargo Zone Map.

For the latest News & Updates please visit the Alaska Airlines webpage.

For the latest in Alaska Cargo News see here.

Alaska Air commonly asked questions.

For questions about our Alaska Air Cargo program, please contact Chris Johnson, (760) 533-5580.

Air Canada Cargo Program:

In case you missed it, we now have Air Canada rates available to our membership! They can be viewed on our website. These are the standard Floral Rates from Air Canada, and they offer good value. However, we are currently working with Air Canada with the goal of securing exclusive rates for CalFlower members. More information to follow.

Member Spotlight

Floral Supply Syndicate

Floral Supply Syndicate was founded in 1939, and offers a complete line of floral supplies to retail florists. They have expanded their product line to include a wide selection of craft materials, decorative packaging items, fancy ribbons and an extensive line of holiday merchandise. Their customers span a variety of industries including designers, craft merchandisers, interior design professionals, party planners, balloon designers, wedding planners, gift basket/decorative packaging services, along with a whole host of related industries.

Industry Events

Last Chance — Register for the Texas Floral Showcase in Tyler on Sept. 24

Don’t miss an unforgettable floral design presentation by Deborah De La Flor AIFD, CFD, PFCI, whose dynamic insights promise to captivate and inspire. This is your chance to experience an engaging presentation packed with valuable design and business takeaways — plus a wonderland of floral fun with friends. Secure your spot now and be part of an event that will leave you buzzing with new ideas! Please note, the hands-on workshop has sold out. Click here to register.

Click here for details about the ASCFG's North American Conference on January 13-14 in Albuquerque, NM.

Welcome New Members!

Associate Grower

Blair House Blooms

West Brookfield, MA

Johns Plant Adventures

Gilbert, AZ

Agricultural

Gourmet Xpress

Irving, TX

Associate Floral

Aravco Inc.

Brooklyn, NY

Cortnie Dee LLC

Plano, TX

Lane Florist

Dallas, TX

Our Members Have Spoken

Thank you to CalFlowers members who participated in our recent Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey! NPS is a widely used benchmark that measures how likely members are to recommend an organization, with scores ranging from -100 to +100. The global average is +32.

We’re thrilled to share that CalFlowers earned an outstanding score of 91! This is a testament to the strength of our community and the value of your feedback. This result inspires us to continue creating programs and opportunities that support you and the greater floral industry.