COMMITMENT to SOCIAL FAIRNESS
Frontier Co-op has always been committed to treating our sourcing partners with fair- ness and integrity. In 2009, we became among the first to sell fair trade spices, herbs and flavorings in the U.S. and we continue to expand our Fairtrade Certified ® offerings today.
FAIRTRADE Fairtrade certification is the internationally recognized gold standard for social responsibility. The rigorous audit system, which tracks products from source to finished products, verifies compliance with Fairtrade standards. These standards, available at fairtrade.net, include economic, social, and environmental factors with the aim of creating more equitable, resilient supply chains that prioritize the farmers who are often left out of the full benefits of global trade. The certification helps businesses source products that are responsibly and sustainably produced, and gives consumers confidence that the people behind the products they buy have good working conditions and get fair wages for their hard work. FAIRTRADE AMERICA FIXED PREMIUM PILOT PROGRAM To continue delivering on our commitment to social fairness, Frontier Co-op is partnering with Fairtrade America to establish a three-year pilot program aimed at improving fair competition with three key commodities grown in Guatemala: allspice, cardamom, and turmeric. The program, which began in July 2024, responds to increasingly volatile commodity pricing affecting FEDECOVERA, Frontier Co-op’s Fairtrade certified partner in Guatemala. Unlike the fixed premium applied to products sold by our partners in Sri Lanka and India, affording them more control over pricing in the global market, the lack of a fixed premium in Guatemala has meant that, during periods of commodity price increases, FEDECOVERA suppliers have struggled to compete on the global stage. By establishing a fixed minimum and premium, Frontier Co-op can help stabilize the pricing model for these suppliers, putting them back in control of their pricing, and protecting both sides against volatility - ensuring farmers consistently receive a minimum price that they can invest in their businesses and communities. We believe this approach will help provide stability for these rural communities, ensuring that small-scale Fairtrade certified farmers in Guatemala continue to remain competitive and have fair access to global economic opportunities.
Recap of Sourcing Targets:
• SMETA audits conducted in areas identified as high-risk by Sedex assessment • Five million dollars invested in supply chain development through Well Earth Impact Program and externally funded programs by FY26
Photo: A farmer in Sri Lanka smiles for a photo.
2024 Sustainability Report | 39
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