Frontier Co-op knows that doing the right thing isn’t charity; it’s just good business

Fairtrade brand partner Frontier Co-op is deeply committed to the long-term well-being of people and planet. They appreciate the interconnectedness between environmental, economic and social sustainability and seek to be strong partners to the farming communities they source from. This manifests in myriad ways, from certifying products Fairtrade to facilitating their Well Earth grant program. We are so glad to have had the chance to be in conversation with Laura Kuykendall!

Please introduce yourself – what is your role with Frontier Co-op?

My name is Laura Kuykendall, and I serve as the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Frontier Co-op.

Tell me about your company. What’s your mission?

Frontier Co-op’s mission is to nourish people and planet, and to always be fair. Our guiding principle, “Doing Good, Works,” reflects our deep-rooted belief that doing the right thing – whether for our employees, the communities we work and live in, or the growers and communities we source from around the world – isn’t charity; it’s just good business.

What is the story behind your spices? What makes them unique?

At Frontier Co-op, our spices, herbs, flavorings, and all botanical products are rooted in quality and responsibility. Through our Well Earth grant program, we invest in community and business development projects with our global sourcing partners. These initiatives strengthen farmers’ resilience and help build stable, sustainable communities. When consumers choose Frontier Co-op products, they’re actively supporting these efforts to make a positive impact in sourcing communities around the globe.

What excites you about Fairtrade? Why did you choose to certify your product Fairtrade?

Fairtrade represents the gold standard for ethical trade, supported by a global movement of over 2 million farmers and over 2,500 businesses. What excites me most about Fairtrade is its emphasis on partnering with farmers. These individuals play a central role in all decision-making, from setting standards to allocating Fairtrade Premiums in their communities. For Frontier Co-op, Fairtrade certification means we can have confidence that the products we source meet these rigorous standards while enabling farming communities to invest in sustainable, impactful projects.

What excites me most about Fairtrade is its emphasis on partnering with farmers.

What’s one thing about one of Frontier Co-op’s Fairtrade spices that surprises you?

One fascinating thing about our Fairtrade Ceylon Cinnamon is how it’s grown and harvested. Unlike other cinnamon varieties that require cutting down the whole tree, Ceylon Cinnamon grows like a bush, allowing farmers to harvest just a few branches at a time, preserving the plant, ensuring a sustainable supply, and producing a sweeter, more delicate flavor.

How do you use your business to create a more sustainable and/or equitable world?

Our Well Earth program, launched in 2007, is a cornerstone of our commitment to responsible sourcing and fosters long-term relationships with our suppliers around the globe. To date, we’ve invested more than $2.7 million in sourcing communities through this program, including most recently funding a new mobile medical and dental clinic in partnership with our Fairtrade partners in Guatemala. This clinic brings preventative care directly to rural farming communities, enhancing accessibility and improving overall wellbeing. These ongoing investments help ensure the very literal long-term sustainability of our supply partners and their communities in the future.

What’s next for Frontier Co-op? For example, where do you see your company in 5 years?

We’re proud to lead the way in offering Regenerative Organic Certified® spices, which combine organic and regenerative agricultural practices, along with social fairness–Fairtrade certification will play a critical role in this movement for us. We’re collaborating with our Fairtrade and organic certified partners to achieve ROC™ certification so consumers can feel confident that their purchases of these certified products not only restore soil health but also promote social equity. So far, we have five SKUs available widely, and two SKUs exclusive to Whole Foods including Regenerative Organic Certified® Indonesian Vanilla Extract, and Regenerative Organic Certified® Whole Black Peppercorns, with new products rolling out soon! Current SKUs can also be found on our website at https://www.frontiercoop.com/regenerative-organic-certified, including:

·       Regenerative Organic Certified® Ceylon Cinnamon

·       Regenerative Organic Certified® Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks

·       Regenerative Organic Certified® Ground Turmeric

·       Regenerative Organic Certified® Ground Ginger

·       Regenerative Organic Certified® Medium Grind Black Pepper

If you could redesign how the spice world works to better support farmers, what would you do?

At Frontier Co-op, we believe that business can and should be used as a force for good in the world, and that requires dedication, action and engagement from all parts of our global supply chain. If I could change one thing, I would prioritize expanding industry support for certifications like Fairtrade and ROC™. These programs support farmers and organizations who are working to protect both people and planet such that they’re rewarded for and encouraged to continue their sustainable and ethical practices.

In this vein, we’re excited to announce the launch of a pilot project in partnership with Fairtrade International to establish a Fairtrade Minimum Price for cardamom, turmeric and allspice sourced from Guatemala. By creating more equitable pricing mechanisms, we aim to protect farmers from volatile market shifts, supporting the sustainability of their livelihoods and communities. If successful, we plan to replicate this model for other commodities in our supply chain.

What’s one thing (big or small) that you’ve learned about Fairtrade since starting to work with us?

I’ve always known that farmers play a leadership role within Fairtrade International, but I’ve come to appreciate just how deeply involved they are. Farmers not only help set the standards they’re held to but also decide how to allocate their community premiums, aligning investments with their unique goals and needs. Over the past decade, these Fairtrade Premiums have generated over $2 billion, making an incredible difference in small farming communities worldwide.