Rodelle’s cutting a sweet deal for farmers

Fairtrade America had the opportunity to interview Jenna Baker, Marketing Manager at Rodelle, to learn more about their Fairtrade vanilla and commitment to prioritizing people and the planet.

Tell us a little bit about how you came to the decision about sourcing Fairtrade vanilla, and what inspired Rodelle to get Fairtrade certified?

Rodelle has been carefully, sustainably and responsibly sourcing our vanilla before our farmer partners were certified in Fairtrade. Our commitment to quality starts on the vanilla farms, with the skilled individuals who nurture and care for each season’s crop. By sustainably and responsibly sourcing our Madagascar vanilla direct from farmers, we’re able to produce a consistently exceptional vanilla extract that’s delivered with supply chain transparency and traceability. The Fairtrade certification further legitimizes our earnest commitment to the vanilla farmers, their families and the communities they live in.

What does fair trade mean to you in 1 word?

Sweet! Most people associate vanilla extract with their baking recipes, but they don’t know how complex the traditional vanilla supply chain is. Rodelle’s vertical supply chain enables us to get right to our farmers – and are paid fair market price and receive incentive payments that they can invest in the future of their families and communities. Fairtrade’s certification sweetens our partnership with an additional layer of oversight and authentication.

Where can customers find your new Fairtrade products?

Our Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extracts are available online and in select retailers. Visit our website for where to buy information.

What is one thing you want customers to know about Rodelle?

Through our joint venture partnership with Sahanala, SAVAN^TM, we are the industry’s first farmer-owned processor and exporter of vanilla beans, rooting our supply chain at the origin source.

How can customers get involved with your brand?

Visit www.rodellekitchen.com to read profiles on a few of our farmer partners in Madagascar. Stay for a minute and peruse our vast collection of recipes! And, if you want to stay in touch, please sign up for our monthly (at most bi-weekly!) newsletter or follow us on social @rodellevanilla on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram and @rodellev on Twitter!