2024 Biennial Sustainability Report — Doing Good, Works
DOING GOOD, WORKS 2024 BIENNIAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
TABLE of CONTENTS
01 ABOUT OUR CO-OP
04 WITHIN OUR WALLS
Responsibility in Marketing Essential Oils 29 Resilience for Smallholder Farmers 30 Regenerative Organic Certified Spices 31 Well Earth & USAID CDP Partnership 32 Cooperative Development 33 CDP in Sri Lanka and India 34 CDP in Guatemala 35 Responsibly Sourced Vanilla 36 Farmer Resilience in Madagascar 37 Sustainable Spices in Peru 38 Commitment to Social Fairness 39
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11
52 Breaking Down Barriers to Employment 53 Flexible and Affordable Childcare 54 Skills Training through Apprenticeships 55 Second Chance Hiring Practices 56 Accessible and Reliable Transportation 57 Benefits and Culture 58 Highlighted Employee Benefits 59 Employee Health and Wellness 60 Employee Development Opportunities 61 Workforce Goals 62
Message from Our CEO
About Us
Our Brands
3 Pillars of Our Purpose Sustainability Targets Awards & Recognition
Our History
Cooperative Business Model Seven Cooperative Principles
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Board of Directors Management Team Our Stakeholders
03 IN OUR COMMUNITIES
05 APPENDIX
40
63
Materiality Assessment Five Material Focus Areas
Nourishing People and Planet Simply Organic Giving Fund
41
General Information GRI Index — General GRI Index — Economic
64 70 75 77
42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Aura Cacia Positive Change Project
02 AT SOURCE
20 Our Approach to Responsible Sourcing 21 Our Key Commitments 22 Impact Sourcing Map 23 Product Certifications 24 Traceability & Transparency 25 Commitment to Quality 26 Commitment to Food Safety 27 Quality Certifications 28
GRI Index — Product Responsibility
Concern for Community
Organic and Regenerative Organic
Supporting Employee Giving
A note about the dates in this report: We report in accordance with our fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. The fiscal years during which data is collected are named accord- ing to their ending calendar year – for example, the fiscal year ending 6/30/24 is referred to as FY24.
Responsibility to Planet
Our Commitment to Sustainability Investing in Renewable Energy Responsible Use of Resources
Impact of Our Packaging
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2
ABOUT OUR CO-OP SECTION 1
2024 Sustainability Report | 3
MESSAGE from OUR CEO
Thank you for taking the time to review our 2024 Sustainability Report. As a member-owned co-op, sustainability and responsibility to all our stakeholders have always been core values guiding everything we do. This biennial report reflects the evolution of our goals and the strategies for meeting our commitments, as we continue to adapt to the changing needs of our customers, consumers, employees, and sourcing partners. At Frontier Co-op®, our approach to social responsibility is anchored by our purpose state- ment – "Doing Good, Works." We've structured our efforts around three key pillars: doing good at the source, doing good in our communities, and doing good within our own walls. Thanks to our cooperative business model, we've maintained an unwavering commitment to this purpose for the past 48 years, even in spite of any challenges we’ve faced. This year, we completed a multi-year project in partnership with USAID’s Cooperative Development Program, aimed at supporting cooperatives and collective ownership models within our supply chain. More than five years and five million dollars later, these partnerships have helped create socioeconomic opportunities and address systemic challenges in three of our key sourcing countries – India, Guatemala and Sri Lanka. Over the last couple years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting all three of these projects and witnessing the tangible impact of our work. In Guatemala, we supported the validation of steam pasteurization technology with our cooperative partners in Coban, and helped establish a biofabrication facility to provide organic pest and disease control for their farmer member-owners. In Sri Lanka, we supported our partners through farmer training on proper handling and agricultural practices. And in rural northern India, we helped establish the region's first ever farmer-owned tea processing facility, which will allow these primarily women farmers an equity stake in the global industry they play such a critical role in. These experiences continue to inspire me and remind me of the expansive possibilities for "doing good" through our co-op. "Doing Good, Works" is more than just a slogan; it’s a way of doing business that benefits everyone involved, and it drives us daily at Frontier Co-op. If you have any comments or questions about this report or ideas on how we can continue to improve, please don't hesitate to reach out at ceo@frontiercoop.com.
Tony Bedard, CEO Frontier Co-op
Photo: Tony Bedard, CEO of Frontier Co-op, celebrates with sourcing partners in the Kumaon region of northern India.
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In all that we do, at all times and with all people, we will conduct our affairs and the affairs of the company with unwavering integrity. VALUES
ABOUT US
EMPLOYEES
Since 1976, Frontier Co-op has been showing the world that Doing Good, Works. Now more than 65,000 member-owners strong, we're still dedicated to sourcing the highest quality spices, herbs and botanical products for our Frontier Co-op, Simply Organic ® , and Aura Cacia ® brands – all while creating life-changing opportunities for our growers, employees and their families. We're driven by a simple purpose: to do good by our people and planet. And to create a stronger company built on a commitment to quality and sustainability.
65,000
our
4 Facilities in
Nourish people and planet. Always be fair.
1. Norway: Headquarters, corporate offices & bottling operations 2. North Liberty: Processing (receive in raw materials from around the world) 3. Belle Plaine: Distribution 4. Urbana: Aura Cacia
Photo: Frontier Co-op’s food innovation kitchen is housed in the company’s Innovation Center in Norway, Iowa.
At Frontier Co-op, we believe that Doing Good, Works. Every grower community we invest in creates a steady supply of quality products, year after year. And every employee we empower puts their passion into products they believe in — making a difference our customers can see, smell, taste and feel. It’s a win for our people, our products and our Co-op.
Doing Good, Works
PURPOSE OUR
Learn more at: www.frontiercoop.com
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OUR BRANDS
FRONTIER CO-OP We are Frontier Co-op. 65,000 member owners strong and a power- ful force of good in the world. As an ethically committed herb and spice brand with a broad culinary and wellness portfolio, we are united by our mission to put people and planet before profits.
SIMPLY ORGANIC We are Simply Organic. The original all-organic spice brand that lives up to the promise of our name in all that we cultivate and bring to the table. We believe in nourishing lives and preserving the Earth for generations to come, all through inherently better food. Pure and simple.
AURA CACIA When it comes to pure essential oils, it all begins at the botanical source. Aura Cacia is committed to delivering essential oils from all over the world with integrity and botanical authority.
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DOING GOOD, WORKS
3 PILLARS OF OUR PURPOSE
DOING GOOD, WORKS AT SOURCE
DOING GOOD, WORKS IN OUR COMMUNITIES
DOING GOOD, WORKS WITHIN OUR WALLS
Breaking Down Barriers to Employment Second Chance Hiring Practices Subsidized Onsite Childcare
Community Building
$1 Million+ Contributed Annually to Causes Around the World Environmental Stewardship Employee-Supported Giving
Business Building
Responsible Sourcing
Photo: A young cardamom farmer shows off a basket of freshly harvested cardamom pods.
Photo: Two Frontier Co-op volunteers harvest vegetables at DeLaney Community Farm in Aurora, Colorado.
Photo: Frontier Co-op onsite childcare classroom at the company’s headquarters in Norway, Iowa.
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FRONTIER CO-OP SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS
SOURCING TARGETS
PACKAGING TARGETS
ZERO WASTE TARGETS
ENERGY & EMISSIONS TARGETS We strive to reduce the GHG impact of our operations to the best of our ability. We continue to support renewable energy on site at our facilities, and continuously evaluate opportunities to expand. Whatever energy we’re not able to generate ourselves, we have committed to off- setting through the purchase of RECs and carbon offsets. • 100% of Scope I and II emissions offset through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
WORKFORCE TARGETS
As a consumer packaged goods manufacturer, we have a responsibility for not only our products but their pack- aging as well – from transport to the store shelf, all the way to our consumers’ homes. Our goal is to minimize the impact of our packaging to the best of our ability by incorporating recycled con- tent and communicating with consumers to encourage responsible disposal. • Maintain recycled content of packaging at 36% • Maintain recyclability of packaging at 89%
We firmly believe in minimiz- ing the impact of our opera- tions, including disposing of waste from our facilities in an environmentally respon- sible way. Our goal is to exceed 90% diversion of our waste from the landfill through recycling and com- posting streams. • Divert more than 90% of waste from landfill from each of our four Iowa facilities by 2025
Including a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences is a fundamental value at Frontier Co-op. We’re committed to continuing to improve the diversity of our workforce. • Women represent 50% of management • 50% of our entry-level employees hired through our Breaking Down Barriers to Employment program
We believe that doing good starts at source, and we’re committed to ensuring our sourcing practices have a positive impact on all the communities touched by them. • SMETA audits conducted in areas identified as high- risk by Sedex assessment • $5MM invested in supply chain development through Well Earth and externally funded programs by FY26
of Verified Emission Reductions (VERs)
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Photo (top): Children play outside at Frontier Co-op’s award-winning onsite childcare which serves up to 110 children. Photo (bottom): Dion Dawson, founder and Chief Dreamer at Dion's Chicago Dream, packs a van with boxes of healthy, nutrient-dense foods for distribution through their Dream Deliveries program.
AWARDS and RECOGNITION
We’re so grateful for these recognitions of our work at source, in our communities, and within our walls.
REUTERS RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS AWARD Social and Human Capital – Highly Commended This prestigious award program recognizes leadership in sustainable business from around the world. ENGAGE FOR GOOD HALO AWARD Best Social Service Initiative – Silver Engage for Good’s Halo Awards are North America’s highest honor for corporate social impact initiatives. ANTHEM AWARD Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Bronze The Anthem Awards honor the purpose and mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. INC 2024 BEST IN BUSINESS Correctional Re-Entry Services Published annually, this list recognizes companies who have demonstrated influ- ence in their communities, their industries, the environment, or society as a whole.
WORKFORCE INNOVATION AWARD Childcare Program The Corridor Business Journal’s annual award recognizing outstanding employers demonstrating creativity and innovation in their workplace. PROGRESSIVE GROCER IMPACT AWARD Well Earth Earned for ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency. Breaking Down Barriers to Employment Earned for workforce development and employee support. BEST PLACE FOR WORKING PARENTS AWARD Childcare Program A community of business leaders recognizes companies that prove family-friendly IS business-friendly.
» Jump to the Doing Good, Works Within Our Walls section to read more about the impactful programs that make up our co-op’s Breaking Down Barriers to Employment initiative!
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An organic tea farmer in Champawat, India smiles for a photo outside her home.
A doctor completes paperwork at the mobile clinic in Coban, Guatemala founded by Frontier Co-op and their local sourcing partner.
Frontier Co-op CEO Tony Bedard volunteers with Feed Iowa First in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Spice farmers in Sri Lanka listen attentively to a training.
Frontier Co-op’s management team volunteers with a local non-profit.
A farmer harvests organic tea in Champawat, India.
I am honored to be a Frontier Co-op board member. I love the company’s focus on impact for employees, in the community and at source. I am particularly inspired by the Child Care Center, Second Chance hiring program, and processing Frontier is pursuing at source; these are all programs with powerful impact on the business, and clearly prove doing good does work! — Sarah Bird, Board of Directors
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OUR HISTORY
We are a MEMBER-OWNED co-op, responsible to PEOPLE and PLANET.
Frontier Co-op (originally named “Frontier Herbs”) began as a two-person operation in 1976 in a cabin along the Cedar River in Eastern Iowa. The business was originally structured as a cooperative that supplied wholesale herbs and spices to its mem- ber-owners, repackaging several hundred varieties of herbs and spices into smaller one- and two-pound bags. Those member-owners then resold these products in bulk to their retail consumers. Rapid growth resulted in the purchase of a ten-acre parcel of Iowa farmland in 1982 near Norway, Iowa, and the construction of a 21,000-square foot facility, which today serves as our cooperative’s headquarters. Plant expansions in 1984, 1988, and 1993 increased this facility to over 85,000 square feet. Today, Frontier Co-op owns an additional 50 acres of land adjacent to the main facility, 22 acres of which are main- tained as tallgrass prairie. The co-op subsequently purchased and remodeled facilities in the nearby Iowa towns of Urbana, North Liberty, and Belle Plaine. In 1981, Frontier Co-op elected its first Board of Directors. Still focused on bulk, our Frontier Co-op brand had been an industry leader in rec- ognizing the value of organic agriculture and promoting organically grown products
since the 1980s. In 1988, we introduced a Frontier Co-op line of packaged spices that developed into a significant sales contributor and laid important groundwork for the establishment of the Simply Organic ® brand in 2002. Simply Organic quickly became the fastest growing brand in natural seasonings and the leading brand in the explosively growing category of organic seasonings. Early in its history, Frontier Co-op had also accommodated its members by buying bulk quantities of essential oils and rebottling them into .33-ounce glass bottles. This line grew steadily as the concept and practice of aromatherapy became increasing- ly popular. In 1993, Frontier Co-op acquired Aura Cacia ® , a fast-growing essential oils and essential oils-based personal care products company based in Weaverville, CA. Today, the brand has grown to become the clear market leader in natural health outlets nationwide. Over more than four decades, Frontier Co-op has grown to distribute our products through a wide range of customers: distributors, wholesale members, wholesale non- members, and retail customers that place orders via phone, mail and the co-op’s web- sites. The bulk of our sales continue to be to retailers in the U.S. and Canada.
1976
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
• Created the Plant Boss brand • Aura Cacia Positive Change Project surpassed $1 Million in contributions • Launched the first Regenerative Organic Certified ® (ROC) spices
• Created the Simply Organic brand • Established the Well Earth program
• Purchased North Liberty facility • Purchased Belle Plaine warehouse facility • Innovation Center built at our Norway headquarters
• Launched Frontier Co-op brand of spices • Bought Aura Cacia aromatherapy brand • Opened coffee roasting plant in Vinton, IA
• Appointed first Board of Directors • Built facility in Norway, IA • Established on-site childcare and café • Became a certified organic processor
• Frontier began as a
• Added first organic products to line • Moved operations to Fairfax, IA • Began bottling essential oils • Incorporated as a cooperative owned by customers
two-person operation in a river cabin in Eastern Iowa
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Shoppers buy the co-op’s products from our members.
The co-op’s profits are shared according to member purchases that year.
THE BENEFITS OF A COOPERATIVE BUSINESS MODEL
In many ways, cooperatives are like any other business. We’re a for-profit entity similar to our competitors, and our member-owners earn dividends from our profits in the form of patronage. Co-ops are even incorporated in most cases, filing papers with the state as a specially structured corporation. Similarly to other corporations, we have bylaws and a board of directors that sets policy and oversees our management who runs the day-to-day operations. However, co-ops are different from other businesses in that they are owned and controlled (through the election of a Board) by members who have direct participation in the business. There are many types of co-ops, but typically the participation is as a customer or supplier of the co-op. This is the case with Frontier Co-op. We’re owned, as we have been from the beginning, by our wholesale customers — the stores and other organizations that purchase and resell our products. These member-owners provide the capital for our business to continue to operate, but they also share in the co-op’s earnings, and have a gover- nance role as member-owners through an elected Board of Directors. This special ownership structure is at the heart of our success. We have unique insight into the natural products industry because our member-owners are in direct contact every day with natural products consumers. Moreover, this unique structure has fostered honest, responsible business practices for more than four decades. At Frontier Co-op, we believe that Doing Good, Works. Investing in our sourcing partners and their communities is not charity; it’s just good business. Giving five percent of our profits to socially and environmentally driv- en causes across the U.S. and around the world is just being respon- sible global citizens. And investing to break down barriers to em- ployment in our own company and in our community is just using our business as a source for good in the world. It’s not that we couldn’t or wouldn’t do these things if we were a traditional individually or pub- licly owned corporation. But being cooperatively owned by tens of thousands of members advocating for doing the right thing reinforces our values and allows us to take the long view when it comes to our business decisions. We’re a different business in a different world than when we started in 1976, but Frontier Co-op’s commitment to our founding values — and those of our members — remains strong.
Stores and organizations resell our products.
Members get one vote each to elect a Board of Directors to represent them in their co-op’s decisions.
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SEVEN COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES
MEMBERS ECONOMIC
democratic
voluntary OPEN MEMBERSHIP
autonomy
INDEPENDENCE
AND
CONCERN for COMMUNITY
TRAINING & INFORMATION
cooperation AMONG
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BOARD of DIRECTORS
Frontier Co-op is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, made up of six patron directors who are elected by the membership on a one-member, one-vote basis for three-year terms; two at-large directors who are elected by the patron directors for two-year terms; and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. The Board’s mandate is to provide direction and oversight for the business and affairs of the cooperative, and to act in the interests of the members.
Sarah Bird
Lindy Bannister
Tony Bedard, CEO Management Director, Secretary and Treasurer
I am incredibly proud to serve on the
board of Frontier Co-op, a business
that truly embodies the values of doing
good and helping others. [...] Frontier
Dean LaVallee President
Pedro Garcia
Jim Hoagland
and its leaders serve as role-models for
any business truly dedicated to making
a positive impact on the world.
— Kevin Malchoff,
Frontier Co-op Board Vice President
Phil Meldrum
Kim Wagner
Kevin Malchoff Vice President
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MANAGEMENT TEAM
Frontier Co-op is led by a seven-person management team with a diverse array of expertise and experience. In addition to leading their respective teams, each leader is responsible for uphold- ing and modeling our company’s values and setting the strategic direction that we rely on to fulfill the company’s mission and purpose every day.
Tony Bedard Chief Executive Officer
Ravin Donald, PhD. Chief Operations Officer Ravin has been ensuring food safety and quality standards at Frontier Co-op since 1999, starting with overseeing the company’s instru- mentation and quality labs, then developing the programs and standards that define Frontier Co-op’s brands as industry leaders in product quality.
Laura Kuykendall Senior Vice President of Marketing Laura has more than 25 years of consumer packaged goods leader- ship experience, includ- ing for both leading and start-up brands in the organic and natural marketplace. Her passion for brand strategy, product innovation, sustainability and mentoring the next generation of marketers
Todd Minichilli Senior Vice President of Sales Todd joined Frontier Co-op in 2020, bringing over 28 years of sales experience in the con- sumer packaged goods industry — for both large conventional brands, and natural and organic brands. We rely on his leadership to get our products into the hands of consumers.
Eduardo Pulido Vice President of Information Technology Eduardo leads from a vision of expanding business capabilities through improved technology and systems design. His commitment to strong, nimble sys- tems is critical to secure data management, efficient work, and a trusting culture that allow Frontier Co-op’s employees to carry out the company’s strategy, mission and values.
Megan Schulte Vice President of Human Resources
Josh Vogeler Chief Financial Officer
Megan leads the com- pany’s work on the pillar “Doing Good, Works Within Our Walls”. Her team executes the award-winning Breaking Down Barriers to Employment programs which aim to improve access to employment and economic mobility for those facing barriers to them. She has also been at the helm of the co-op’s unique programs to support employees and their families, including our childcare, accessible transportation, second chance hiring, and apprenticeship programs.
Josh joined the Frontier Co-op team in January 2025 as the company’s new CFO. His back- ground working for large, diverse multinational firms along with this passion for driving impact helps ensure that our co-op is able to live out our purpose around the world; illustrating that “doing good” isn’t charity, it’s just good business.
Tony has been a leader at Frontier Co-op since 1991 – first leading operations, then as CEO beginning in 2003. Throughout his career, he has demon- strated his commitment to the idea that business can be a force for positive change and that doing right by people and the planet can have a positive impact on a company’s performance. He has been recognized numerous times for leading Frontier Co- op’s mission-driven work, including being inducted in 2024 into the Cooperative Development Foundation’s Hall of Fame.
is invaluable to Frontier Co-op.
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OUR STAKEHOLDERS
RETAILERS As we continue to grow our co-op, we have expanded to working with additional retailers outside our cooperative membership. We work closely with these retailers to ensure that we are meeting their quality and service expectations, and that they are accurately communicating information about our products in their stores.
SOURCING PARTNERS Our co-op sources raw materials from over 50 countries around the world. This means we have to be vigilant when it comes to ensuring our suppliers have a positive impact on their people and the environment, but it also means a great deal of responsibility in ensuring that we’re treating every supplier and farming family with honesty and integrity.
INDUSTRY As members of the Organic Trade Association, the Sustainable Spice Initiative, the American Herbal Products Association, and American Spice Trade Association, we work closely with our industry coun- terparts to identify and address risks, and develop industry-wide solutions to challenges as they arise.
MEMBER-OWNERS Our 65,000 cooperative member-owners are the retailers who purchase and resell our products in their stores. We have a responsibility to our mem- bership to not only maintain the financial stability of our company, but ensure that in all we do, our company is living our shared mission every day.
SURROUNDING COMMUNITY
EMPLOYEES We have more than 580 employees between our four Iowa facilities, our Boulder satellite office, and our remote sales team spread across the US. We firmly believe that fulfilling our responsibility to this team is one of the most important things we do as a company, from our Breaking Down Barriers to Employment initiative to ample personal and professional growth opportunities.
We firmly believe that our co-op’s social respon- sibility extends far beyond the four walls of our facilities. Because of this, we’re dedicated to contributing five percent of our profits each year to non-profits across the U.S. and Canada, and to our sourcing communities around the world.
CONSUMERS At Frontier Co-op, we’re dedicated to sourcing only the highest quality ingredients and botanical products from around the world. We are committed to full ingredient disclosure in all our products, maintain stringent standards for ingredient safety, and never treat our products with irradiation or chemical pasteurization like ETO.
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FRONTIER CO-OP’S FIRST MATERIALITY ASSESSMENT
Frontier Co-op has long taken pride in our leadership within the natural and organic food industry, as well as our commitment to understanding and addressing the needs and expectations of our stakeholders. Recognizing the importance of staying informed about the challenges our stakeholders face in achieving long-term success and resilience— including both people and planet—we conducted our first Materiality Assessment in 2024.
Through this process, we engaged stakeholders from across our value chain to identify and evaluate key risks and opportunities that our co-op should address in its planning. As a result, our team identified five priority issues that are critical to both our internal and external stakeholders and have a significant impact on the success of our co-op: 1. Regenerative Agriculture 2. Employee Health, Safety, and Well-being 3. Sustainable Operations and Climate Resiliency 4. Sustainable Products 5. Transparency and Traceability To ensure our sustainability strategy reflects the evolving priorities of our stakeholders and the most material ESG issues, we partnered with a leading consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive materiality assessment. The process was aligned with guidance from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) to ensure our disclosures meet interna- tionally recognized frameworks. The assessment included stakeholder engagement, benchmark- ing, and a detailed analysis of key environmental, social, and governance issues most relevant to our business and stakeholders.
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OUR FIVE MOST MATERIAL FOCUS AREAS:
1. Regenerative Agriculture We embrace six key principles of regenerative agriculture—building soil health, managing water wisely, minimizing the use of synthetic chemicals, enhancing biodiversity, promoting animal welfare, and creating collaborative and equitable partnerships within the food system. Our commitment to regenerative practices, combined with our focus on supporting smallholder farmers throughout our value chain, is central to fulfilling our responsibility to both people and the planet. 2. Employee Health, Safety, and Well-being Our commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of our employees is reflected in a wide range of offerings and initiatives. Alongside traditional benefits like medical, dental, and vision coverage, we go above and beyond to meet our team’s evolving needs through programs such as subsidized onsite childcare, transportation solutions, an apprentice- ship program, and savings matches. 3. Sustainable Operations and Climate Resiliency At Frontier Co-op, we see sustainable operations and climate resiliency as a broad priority that combines several critical areas, including energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water stewardship, waste management, and climate action. We are focused on enhancing resilience and mitigating risks within our facilities and across our value chain. 4. Sustainable Products We’re excited to see a growing emphasis on responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship, and sustainable ingredi- ents within our industry. We’re committed to educating consumers on the importance of choosing sustainably sourced ingredients and how those choices contribute to a more sustainable food system. 5. Transparency and Traceability We know our consumers want greater insight into the journey of their products—from farm to fork. That’s why we’ve embraced tools like SEDEX to enhance visibility into supply chain risks and prioritized educating consumers about certifications such as USDA Organic, Fairtrade, and Non-GMO. By providing clear, accessible information on our labels, we empower our customers to make informed purchasing decisions.
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The farm team at New Leaf Agriculture, a social enterprise of the Multicultural Refugee Coalition, poses for a photo for the Simply Organic Giving Fund.
A mother and beneficiary of ACHEIVE- ability’s services in Philadelphia enjoys a sweet moment with her child. ACHIEVE- ability is a recipient of grant funds from the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project.
The farm team at Emergency Food Network’s Mother Earth Farm, a grant recipient from the Simply Organic Giving Fund, harvests squash for distribution to families facing food insecurity in their community.
A spice farmer in Sri Lanka tends to his nutmeg tree.
The co-op’s dedication to supporting people and the planet goes beyond business – it reflects a genuine commitment to making the world a better place. — Jim Hoagland, Frontier Co-op Board of Directors
A farming family in Sri Lanka walks together.
A tea farmer in rural India pulls tea leaves from her scarf.
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DOING GOOD WORKS at SOURCE SECTION 2
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Tea farmers walk with Fronter Co-op CEO Tony Bedard and project partners in Champawat, India.
OUR APPROACH to RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
Our commitment to centering resilience in smallholder farmers strengthens our farming communities and ensures the long-term sustainability of the supply chain on which everyone involved in and impacted by our work relies. We carry out this commitment by responding to the needs of our farming communities – from edu- cation, medical and basic needs to the impacts of climate change, the geopolitical landscape, and needs related to business capacity building. We do this through our investment in regenerative organic agriculture, our longstanding Well Earth Impact Program which includes our Cooperative Development Program (CDP) projects and USAID partnership, and our commitment to social fairness through Fair Trade International and our Fair Trade America Fixed Premium Pilot Program.
Since our inception as a co-op supplying wholesale herbs and spices to member- owners in bulk quantities, we’ve been committed to the idea that when we work together and lead with a concern for people and planet, we can have substantial impact. This work begins at the source of our products, and is rooted in two key commitments: responsible production and consumption through traceability and transparency, and centering resilience for smallholder farmers along our supply chain. Our commitment to traceability and transparency, including ethical trade, quali- ty, and food safety, is part of our living purpose and a non-negotiable priority. Our work to ensure traceability and transparency includes helping farmers transition from conventional to organic practices, providing training and capacity building to help farmers meet food safety standards and qualify for certifications, and encouraging the use of traceability systems. This work is supported by 1) our membership in Sedex, which provides a formal assessment and scoring system, risk identification and auditing, 2) robust quality control systems, and 3) transparency in labeling.
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A processor sorts cinnamon sticks in Sri Lanka.
At Frontier Co-op, our responsible sourcing work revolves around these two key commitments: OUR KEY COMMITMENTS TO RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
Centering RESILIENCE for smallholder farmers and their communities around the world.
Ensuring TRACEABILITY & TRANSPARENCY – responsible trade, and commitments to quality and food safety throughout our supply chain.
A farmer in Champawat, India holds freshly harvested tea leaves.
TRACEABILITY & TRANSPARENCY: » Jump to Impact Sourcing Map section » Jump to Responsible Trade through SEDEX section » Jump to Commitment to Quality section » Jump to Commitment to Food Safety section » Jump to Certifications section » Jump to Responsibility in Marketing Essential Oils section
RESILIENCE: » Jump to Regenerative Organic section » Jump to Well Earth and USAID section » Jump to Cooperative Development section » Jump to Sri Lanka & India Projects section » Jump to FEDECOVERA Partnership section » Jump to Vanilla Farmer Resilience section » Jump to Sustainable Spices in Peru section » Jump to Social Fairness section
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FRONTIER CO-OP IMPACT SOURCING MAP
CANADA
POLAND
ESTONIA
AUSTRIA
HUNGARY UKRAINE
FRANCE
ITALY
BULGARIA
SPAIN
USA
JAPAN
ISRAEL
TURKEY
MOROCCO
CHINA
TUNESIA
EGYPT
MEXICO
VIETNAM
PAKISTAN
GUATEMALA
INDONESIA
GHANA
SOMALIA INDIA
SRI LANKA
PERU
UGANDA
BRAZIL
MADAGASCAR
SOUTH AFRICA
AUSTRALIA
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PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS
WHY ORGANIC?
WHY REGENERATIVE ORGANIC ® CERTIFIED? Regenerative Organic Certified represents the highest standard in the world for soil health and farmworker fairness to address the climate crisis, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, factory farming, and fractured rural economies globally. Frontier Co-op is unwaveringly dedicated to this work. Adding regenerative organic certified products to our line just makes sense. WHY FAIRTRADE ® CERTIFIED? Fairtrade certification is the internationally recognized gold standard for social responsibility. The rigorous audit system, which tracks products from farm to finished product, verifies industry compliance with Fairtrade International criteria and helps businesses source products that are ethically and sustainably produced while giving consumers confidence that the people behind the products they buy get a fair deal for their hard work. We firmly believe that organic agricultural practices are just better for our environment – including our soil, our water and our food – and better for people, from our farming families to our consumers. More than 70% of the botanicals we source from around the world are grown organically.
Photo: Cardamom flowers and pods grow low on the plant, close to the ground.
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TRACEABILITY & TRANSPARENCY
RESPONSIBLE TRADE THROUGH SEDEX A key component of Frontier Co-op’s commitment to traceability and transparency includes responsible trade. This means we work hard to ensure our work practices have positive social and environmental im- pacts. One way we assess this is through our membership in Sedex – one of the world’s leading responsible trade membership organizations. Sedex offers businesses a formal assessment and scoring system, as well an online platform with tools and resources, to help them operate more responsibly and sustainably. For businesses like Frontier Co-op that operate through many supply chains, Sedex offers the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) – a tool that helps Sedex members assess the social impact of their entire supply chain. It involves four pillars – labor, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. Suppliers are sent a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), then, in areas identified as “high-risk,” third party auditors conduct supplier site visits to assess activities related to the four SMETA pillars. The results of these assessments help Frontier Co-op identify which activities and processes are going well and which need improvement. This informs Frontier’s work to conduct training, capacity building, and further evalua- tion accordingly. As more suppliers are integrated into the Sedex database, respond to the SAQ and engage in SMETA, the gathered data also allows Frontier to identify and respond to risks by sector and country.
INTEGRATING OUR SUPPLIERS INTO THE SEDEX DATABASE
SEDEX VOLUMES
ALL VOLUMES
SEDEX %
CATEGORY
4,914,679
11,704,794
42%
FOOD & FLAVORINGS (IN LBS)
179,344,462
253,511,513
71%
PACKAGING (IN UNITS)
341,113
1,136,321
30%
ESSENTIALS (IN LBS)
We have prioritized our top products across three categories – food and flavors, essential oils, and packaging – as a starting point to assess risk across our supply chain.
A local worker conducts a routine analysis of raw materials in a sourcing partner’s quality lab in Sri Lanka.
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COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
At Frontier Co-op, we work hard to provide consumers with the highest quality products while supporting and promoting social and environmen- tal responsibility. We take great care to ensure each ingredient we source meets our stringent quality expectations – from source through processing and on to distribution. We have zero tolerance for adulterants, fillers, or prohibited ingredients, and maintain high organoleptic standards for color, flavor, aroma and physical integrity. We do this through lab testing, internal auditing and systems evaluation. • Ingredient and country of origin disclosure on raw materials before they enter facilities and on labels ensures high quality and informs consumers about exactly what they’re getting. » Species specificity on our product labels serves as a significant indicator of quality, and is something many of our competitors do not include on their labels. For example, our customers can trust that our lavender is 100% "true lavender" (lavendula angustifolia). » Country of origin on our product labels allows consumers to make more educated decisions about their purchases. • Organoleptic testing ensures our standards related to color, flavor, and aroma are met and screens out adulterated product. • Microanalysis reveals cellular structure of plants to determine, identify and prevent adulteration. • Chemical testing, including High Performance Liquid Chromato- graphy (HPLC) testing, measures active constituent levels. • Quality program and system audits ensure compliance with regula- tions and with Frontier Co-op’s high standards.
Photo (top): Frontier Co-op’s robust quality labs help ensure the purity, safety, and authen- ticity of our products. Photo (bottom): Steam volatile oil testing in the quality labs at Frontier Co-op’s Norway headquarters.
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COMMITMENT TO FOOD SAFETY
In addition to our high quality standards, we maintain high standards for food safety. We have spent decades investing in cutting edge food safety infrastructure and practices to ensure our customers can have total confidence in the safety of our products. We don’t only hold our suppliers, manufacturers and processors accountable to these standards; we work closely with them to ensure they have the resources, equipment and training they need to ensure food safety along the entire supply chain. • Raw material declaration and inspection upon arrival to our facilities ensures unsafe ingredients do not enter our facilities. • Steam and other natural pasteurization ensures we meet food safety standards without harsh chemicals like ethylene oxide (EtO) or irradiation. • Microbiological testing detects yeast, mold, bacteria, and pathogens to be removed to meet industry standards and verify our products are safe for consumers. • Heavy Metals: Frontier Co-op adheres to the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) recommendations. • Upon receipt, products are tested for food safety test for food safety against our internal standards, as well as pertinent compendial, regulatory, or industry-specific requirements.
Food Safety Investments with FEDECOVERA and USAID Cooperative Development Program At Frontier Co-op, we do not use harsh chemicals like ethylene oxide (EtO) or irradiation to treat or sterilize our products. Instead, we use our own or approved suppliers' validated steam pasteurization systems. In 2021, Frontier Co-op brought the value of this system to FEDECOVERA, a cooperatively owned entity made up of 33,000 farming families in Guatemala that provides business capacity and support services to its cooperative members. For many years, FEDECOVERA has handled product processing and export for many of its members but, prior to 2021, did not have the knowledge or capa- bility to perform valuable secondary processing such as steam pasteurization, grinding and sterile handling. With the support of USAID’s Cooperative Devel- opment Program (CDP), Frontier Co-op and FED- ECOVERA co-invested capital into infrastructure and workforce capacity to implement steam pasteur- ization, grinding and sterile handling processes. This brought greater market access to FEDECOVERA’s members and ensured the additional value provided by these services to buyers was kept at source. To support these improvements, an international expert from Mexico visited the team to lead training, in Spanish, on high-level food safety principles, good manufacturing practices, contamination control and pest management – training which further ensured compliance with internationally recognized food safety requirements.
Photo: With the help of Frontier Co-op and USAID Cooperative Development Program, FEDECOVERA has validated their in-house steam pasteurization system.
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QUALITY CERTIFICATIONS
We remain dedicated to high quality and food safety standards because we believe it’s the right thing to do. Moreover, we value third-party certifications and maintain- ing current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) be- cause they provide further proof to consumers of not only regulatory compliance but also responsible sourcing, sourcing, and manufacturing processes. And perhaps most importantly, that our products meet the highest standards for quality and food safety. Facility certifications: • ISO-17025: Quality Control Laboratory • GFSI Safe Quality Food Level 2: Norway, Iowa and North Liberty, Iowa facilities • ISO 22716: Urbana, Iowa facility • Kosher: Norway, Iowa facility
DO WHAT YOU SAY
SAY WHAT YOU DO
PROVE IT
FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS International Food Safety and Quality Network
Product claims (on label) certifications: • Organic (QAI): all Simply Organic, select
Frontier Co-op, and select Aura Cacia products [USDA Organic certification prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)] • Kosher: select Simply Organic and Frontier Co-op products • Fair Trade: select Frontier Co-op products • Regenerative Organic: select Frontier Co-op products • Non-GMO Project verified: select Frontier Co-op, and select Aura Cacia products • ANSI 305: select Aura Cacia products
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RESPONSIBILITY IN MARKETING ESSENTIAL OILS
Aura Cacia, Frontier Co-op’s brand of essential oils and related products, values the safety of its consumers above all else. Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile oils that, if ingested or used incorrectly, can have adverse effects and potentially be damaging to health. We therefore work continuously to promote the safe and responsible use of essential oils.
This means we do not advocate for the internal use of any essential oil and encour- age safe dilution of all essential oils for topical application and home care. These protective measures allow consumers to enjoy the full benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy without the inherent risks of unsafe practices. We encourage consumers to use the extensive resources on our website – including articles, recipes, and classes – to educate themselves about safe use of essential oils. Find more information about Aura Cacia products, responsible essential oil sourcing, and safe use at auracacia.com .
Photos: Frontier Co-op’s Innovation Center in Norway, Iowa is the home to Aura Cacia’s research and development lab.
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CENTERING RESILIENCE for SMALLHOLDER FARMERS
Frontier Co-op is dedicated to centering the needs of our smallholder farmer partners to help ensure resilience in the face of challenges associated with climate change, climate- related natural disasters, and the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape; and supporting stability by helping meet education, medical, and basic needs. Our resilience investments support these communities and ensure the long-term stability of our supply chain. These investments focus on three core elements: regenerative organic agriculture practices, our Well Earth Impact Program, and a commitment to social fairness. REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE Regenerative organic agriculture practices emphasize zero use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, cover cropping, crop rotation, low-to no-till farming, and composting to build healthier soils. These practices are not new but have been employed by Indigenous and Native peoples for centuries. They build healthier soils, strengthen farming systems and improvise the resilience of farming communities. With 600 million farmers globally operating on less than two hectares of land and providing roughly 30% of our global food supply, smallholder farmers are a critical component of our global food supply chain. The global spice supply chains vital to Frontier Co-op’s work are no different. Smallholder spice farmers in rural communities around the world are dispropor- tionately affected by the devastating impacts of climate change and climate-related natural disasters. Regenerative organic agriculture practices support long-term resilience and stability – for farmers and the planet. Learn more at regenorganic.com . As usual, Frontier Co-op is not just dedicated to holding those responsible for the work accountable for certain standards. We’re committed to working cooperatively with our part- ners to help them integrate and/or transition to better practices. This means, when it comes to the adoptions of regenerative organic agriculture practices, we’re helping smallholder farmers overcome the unique financial and logistical challenges involved. This includes finan- cial assistance for costs associated with certification and committing to long-term contracts. As always, we’re inspired by the impact we can have when we work together, and will continue to empower our suppliers to adopt regenerative organic agriculture practices.
Photo (top): Nutmeg, when harvested, is covered by a layer of red mace, which is separated, dried, and can be used as an ingredient itself, as it has a slightly sweeter and more potent flavor than nutmeg. Photo (bottom): A rural farmer in Guatemala holds his freshly harvested cardamom pods.
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REGENERATIVE ORGANIC CERTIFIED SPICES
CULINARY CHOICES THAT CENTER RESILIENCE As a leading supplier of sustainably sourced and organic spices, herbs and botanicals, launching the first nationally distributed Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC)™ bottled spices is just another way Frontier Co-op is offering consumers culinary choices that have a positive impact on people and planet. Led by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, Regenerative Organic Certified ® is rooted in three pillars – soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness – that address the climate crisis, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, factory farming, and fractured rural economies globally. Obtaining this certification aligns with the values, mission, and vision we’ve based our whole business on, and verifies for consumers that we’re walking the talk, allowing them to make informed decisions about their food purchases.
In 2024, Frontier Co-op launched our first line of Regenerative Organic Certified ® SKUs including Ground Ceylon Cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks, Ground Turmeric, and Ground Ginger. Frontier Co-op has also launched the first-ever nationally dis- tributed Regenerative Organic Certified Vanilla Extract. ROC ™ Indonesian Vanilla Extract is available exclusively at Whole Foods Market alongside ROC ™ Whole Black Peppercorns.
SOIL HEALTH
ANIMAL WELFARE
SOCIAL FAIRNESS
Build soil organic matter Conservation tillage Cover crops Crop rotations No GMOs or gene editing No synthetic inputs Promotes biodiversity Rotational grazing
Freedom from discomfort Freedom from fear and distress Freedom from hunger Freedom from pain, injury or disease Freedom to express normal behavior Grass-fed/pasture-raised Limited transport No CAFOs
Fair payments for farmers Good working conditions Living wages Capacity building Freedom of association Democratic organizations Long term commitments No forced labor Transparency and accountability
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