IN MUCH OF OUR country, February is a bleak month, a listless time between the new year’s promise in January and hints of spring in March. In fact, in many Northern Hemisphere countries, February’s name means “the month of ice,” or “frozen rivers” or “frost.” February doesn’t even get ;; days. You get the picture.
Yet February also brings Valentine’s Day, and for many people that means roses—a striking symbol of love, complete with thorns and deep, sensual beauty. This issue’s Buying Smart feature (page Costco sources its cut roses mainly from Guatemala and Colombia. As the story indicates, our roses are certified by the Rainforest Alliance, a program Costco has supported since ;;;;. Rainforest Alliance certification means that the growers meet rigorous environmental and social standards, which require them to protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats, conserve water and soil, promote decent and safe working conditions, and ensure that the farms are good neighbors to rural communities and wild lands.
Now reaching its ;;th birthday, the Rainforest Alliance has brought measurable benefits to forests, communities and wildlife in ;; countries around the world. If you’re interested in learning more about the organization, visit rainforest-alliance.org. The site gives details of the Rainforest Alliance’s philosophy and programs, the methodology it uses in applying practices and how it monitors progress and success.
Costco has found that supporting organizations such as the Rainforest Alliance is good for the growers, while at the same time being a smart business move. It’s a matter of sustainability. If the growers can succeed through fair and stable incomes, if their communities can flourish through effective social programs and if the environment can be protected through smart farming techniques, everybody benefits.
OFTEN WITH MY JOB and in my personal life, I get the chance to travel. I admit that traveling has taken on a whole di;erent feeling since ;/;;, and packing patience is a necessity. Hopefully, the tips o;ered by Peter Greenberg in our cover story this month (page ;;) can ease anxiety and help you maneuver through your travel plans. And here’s another tip: As you make travel plans this year, check out Costco Travel. Our travel program o;ers some great deals on a variety of destinations, including cruises. As with all of our products and services, the focus is on the highest quality at the best value for our members.
Costco is an excellent place to visit as you prepare for trips. Our luggage line features high-end brands and a variety of choices.
Costco also sells vacation-ready clothes (bathing suits are already in!), cameras to capture the fun and the scenery, beach towels and more. In addition, warehouses and Costco.com o;er fantastic discounts on local activities and tours (look for special displays in the warehouses, or enter “tickets” in the search box on Costco. com). And our Photo Centers can take your passport photo (see page ;;;).
Another money-saving travel tip is to look for a Costco warehouse near your vacation location. Since it’s not possible to carry on items like drinking water, large tubes of sunscreen and groceries, many vacationers make going to a Costco near the airport or a hotel their ;rst stop. This isn’t a secret tip: Costco warehouses near airports in places like Maui are very busy.
Traveling gives me a chance to catch up on my reading. Some great books are coming into the warehouse in February, including Pennie’s pick for this month, Elizabeth Poliner’s As Close to Us As Breathing (page ;;), which I’ll be adding to my carry-on.