Frontier Natural Products Co-op
Encyclopedia
Frontier Natural Products Co-op is a wholesaler of natural and organic products, founded in 1976 and based in Norway, Iowa
. It sells products under the Frontier, Simply Organic and Aura Cacia brands. Products include culinary herbs, spices and baking flavors; bulk herbs and spices; and natural and organic aromatherapy
products. Frontier manufactures and distributes products throughout the United States and Canada.
, which they state are at the heart of their success. “The co-op structure has fostered our honest, responsible business practices that are increasingly valued in the marketplace.”
Certified through TransFair USA
. Frontier will absorb the additional costs of the Fair Trade certification by offering the five teas – Jasmine, Ceylon Orange Pekoe, Darjeeling, Gunpowder and Black Chai – without a price increase. Frontier currently offers over 30 Fair Trade certified products including herbs, teas, cocoa, sugar and vanilla. TransFair USA's audit system, which tracks products from farm to finished product, verifies industry compliance with Fair Trade criteria. TransFair USA licenses companies to display the Fair Trade Certified label on products that meet strict international Fair Trade standards.
Frontier has been involved in preserving wild herbs and native plant species by either physically rescuing plants in volunteer groups, financially supporting native plant rescues, re-establishing local tall-grass prairie and protecting plants from the practice of “wild-crafting” through sustainable cultivation methods.
Norway, Iowa
Norway is a city in Benton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 601 at the 2000 census. The city is about southwest of downtown Cedar Rapids. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. It sells products under the Frontier, Simply Organic and Aura Cacia brands. Products include culinary herbs, spices and baking flavors; bulk herbs and spices; and natural and organic aromatherapy
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function or health....
products. Frontier manufactures and distributes products throughout the United States and Canada.
Co-op values
Frontier Natural Products Co-op is owned by its wholesale customers. These customers provide the capital for the business to operate and take responsibility as member/owners of Frontier through an elected board of directors. Frontier places emphasis on co-op valuesRochdale Principles
The Rochdale Principles are a set of ideals for the operation of cooperatives. They were first set out by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in Rochdale, England, in 1844, and have formed the basis for the principles on which co-operatives around the world operate to this day. The...
, which they state are at the heart of their success. “The co-op structure has fostered our honest, responsible business practices that are increasingly valued in the marketplace.”
Environmental and social sustainability
In April 2007 Frontier introduced the Well Earth program to develop ethical sources for high-quality products. The program screens potential suppliers with an extensive questionnaire and on-site visits to evaluate product quality, operational sustainability, environmental practices and social responsibility. Suppliers accepted into the program work with Frontier to maximize agricultural, environmental and social initiatives, with ongoing financial incentives for improved performance in those areas. The Well Earth program also provides direct financial contributions as well as assistance with grants and other outside funding for social and environmental programs in grower communities.Fair Trade
In July 2004 Frontier announced the addition of five USDA Certified Organic bulk teas that are also Fair TradeFair trade
Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as higher social and environmental standards...
Certified through TransFair USA
Transfair USA
Fair Trade USA, formerly "TransFair USA" is a 501 non-profit organization.Founded in 1998, Fair Trade USA’s mission is to "enable sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth"...
. Frontier will absorb the additional costs of the Fair Trade certification by offering the five teas – Jasmine, Ceylon Orange Pekoe, Darjeeling, Gunpowder and Black Chai – without a price increase. Frontier currently offers over 30 Fair Trade certified products including herbs, teas, cocoa, sugar and vanilla. TransFair USA's audit system, which tracks products from farm to finished product, verifies industry compliance with Fair Trade criteria. TransFair USA licenses companies to display the Fair Trade Certified label on products that meet strict international Fair Trade standards.
Organics
In October 2001, Frontier introduced Simply Organic, a line of 100% certified organic foods. 1% of all Simply Organic sales go to organic agricultural causes and education. Frontier offers certified organic spices and seasoning blends under the Frontier brand and certified organic essential oils and personal care products under the Aura Cacia Organics brand.Corporate responsibility
Frontier has made a number of efforts to reduce energy consumption and waste reduction including biodegradable packaging and reduced-materials packaging.- In 2007 Frontier Natural Products published its first sustainability report. Frontier stated in a recent media article that a published report helps their member-owners assess their commitment to sustainable business practices and helps the company identify wasted resources.
- In February 2007 the company announced it had purchased renewable energy credits to cover 100% of the electrical energy used at its Iowa and Colorado facilities.
- In September 2007 Frontier became one of the first distribution centers to provide 100% carbon neutral shipping by implementing a program to calculate the emissions of its order shipping by purchasing renewable energy credits through Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF).
Frontier has been involved in preserving wild herbs and native plant species by either physically rescuing plants in volunteer groups, financially supporting native plant rescues, re-establishing local tall-grass prairie and protecting plants from the practice of “wild-crafting” through sustainable cultivation methods.