LAKELAND, Minnesota — There is only one vanilla company in the world that can claim the highest organic standard — and it's located in Minnesota.
"We wanted to make vanilla better and now where we are is... let's make the best vanilla. Let's make the best vanilla you've ever had," said Sara Kubiak, co-founder of Vanilla Bean Project.
Sara and her husband, Andy Kubiak, both have experience in the food industry. Andy has been involved in the organic food industry for more than 20 years, while Sara was a publicist who worked with many food companies.
The couple, based in Lakeland, wanted to create a business together and decided on vanilla.
"There's nothing like it in the whole world. We just love this story. You know, it's a fruit of an orchid," Sara said. "I love the way when I talk about vanilla, people's eyes just light up."
In late 2018, the couple launched the Vanilla Bean Project with their first batch of pure vanilla extract.
"At that time, the price of an ounce of vanilla beans was equal that to an ounce of silver," Andy recalled. "We were in our facility... I just remember looking at Sara and saying, 'Don't spill' because the value of vanilla at this point was so high we could never afford to spill."
The Vanilla Bean Project started by selling small bottles at farmers' markets. They now do everything from small bottles for retail to bulk orders to food manufacturers.
"Then we find ourselves in literally 10,000 stores. So it's really somewhat of an amazing story for us to be a part of other people's brands," Andy said.
Products include several types of pure vanilla extract and a pure vanilla bean paste which is a favorite among bakers.
A majority of their vanilla comes from Madagascar but they also source it from Indonesia.
"While people might be very familiar with what's going on in the supply chain with coffee or chocolate, they may not be as aware that these same exact labor issues and concerns about workers' rights are absolutely happening in vanilla, as well," Sara said. "So we wanted to raise awareness about that."
Last May, the Vanilla Bean Project achieved Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) status for their pure vanilla extract.
"We are the first in the world to manufacture ROC pure vanilla extract and there are no other companies in the world doing that right now," Andy said.
ROC takes into account soil health, animal welfare and farmworker fairness. You can learn more about ROC criteria, here.
Patagonia helped found the nonprofit called the Regenerative Organic Alliance, to own and manage the ROC program. Patagonia claims it has the highest organic standard.
"We want to make vanilla better for the planet, for people who grow vanilla, and people who use vanilla in their products," Sara said. "So it just really is a very tangible way to kind of showcase our values."
Currently, their ROC vanilla beans come from Indonesia. Andy anticipates they will be producing almost exclusively ROC products in about two months.
"We see this niche as being... the perfect niche for us into the future," Andy said.
Vanilla Bean Project products can be found in many food co-ops, or ordered through their website and Amazon.
Know a local business we should feature for our Behind the Business segment? Email Heidi Wigdahl at hwigdahl@kare11.com.
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