WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESS Newswire / August 5, 2026 / Vanilla farming communities in Madagascar will have the opportunity to participate in a capacity building project that fosters independence, sustainable livelihoods and trade justice throughout the next three and a half years.
With funding from Frontier Co-op, an American organic spice company, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Fairtrade will implement a comprehensive project supporting smallholder vanilla cooperatives in vanilla producing regions of Madagascar. The project aims to:
Enhance vanilla production's sustainability, productivity, and economic resilience for the benefit of Malagasy farmers and workers
Promote resilient agroforestry systems that incorporate tree species and additional crops, helping to enhance food security and diversify farmers' incomes
Break down existing gender and age barriers to support women and youth participation in decision- and money-making activities
"Farmer resilience starts with long-term investment," said Tony Bedard, CEO, Frontier Co-op. "When vanilla farmers have the resources, stability, and support they need to adapt and invest in their farms and cooperatives, the result is stronger communities and more resilient global supply chains."
Traditional vanilla farming often involves monoculture production with minimal shade tree coverage, which can lead to poor soil health, loss of wildlife through deforestation, and greater risk from climate-related events like droughts and storms. Growing vanilla alone also makes farmers more vulnerable to price changes, pests, crop diseases, and other unexpected challenges. Although women and youth play an important role in vanilla production, they often have less access to land, financial services, and leadership opportunities within cooperatives. Cooperatives involved in this project will become agents of change, helping to improve safety, inclusivity, and equity in vanilla production.
This project will be one of nine global projects under the Dignified Opportunities Nurtured for Trade and Sustainability (DONUTS) Program, which has been operating since 2022. The second phase of the DONUTS Program will run from 2026-2029 with projects in Ghana, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Kenya, and Uganda.
"Fairtrade has long championed the farmers and cooperatives leading efforts to strengthen resilience in an increasingly fragile agricultural sector," said Amanda Archila, Executive Director, Fairtrade America. "With Frontier Co-op's investment into the DONUTS program, current and future generations of Malagasy vanilla producers will lead the way in creating sustainable solutions to support their land, families and communities, which ultimately protects the future viability of the global vanilla supply chain."
DONUTS was designed to complement Fairtrade certification and associated economic benefits in regions where communities that rely on agriculture face multiple increasingly dire threats, including child labor and forced labor, discrimination against marginalized groups, unfair trading practices, climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity degradation. From 2022-20225, farmers and workers across nine countries in Africa and Latin America participated in DONUTS interventions tailored to their community's unique needs. Fairtrade estimates that just over 600,000 people have benefited from interventions carried out through the DONUTS program.
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About Fairtrade America
Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It's about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 60 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world's largest and most recognized fair trade certification program -part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtrade.net, and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Frontier Co-op
Founded in 1976 and based in Norway, Iowa, Frontier Co-op is proudly celebrating 50 years as a member-owned cooperative offering a full line of products for natural living under the Frontier Co-op and Simply Organic brands. Products include culinary herbs, spices, and baking flavors, and bulk herbs and spices all with a wide selection of organics. For five decades, Frontier Co-op has been guided by its purpose - Doing Good, Works - and commitment to provide consumers with the highest-quality products while supporting and promoting social and environmental responsibility. For more information, visit their website at www.frontiercoop.com.
Media Contact
Liz Davis, ldavis@fairtradeamerica.org| +1 202-930-4349
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SOURCE: Fairtrade America
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:
https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/project-launch-new-partnership%e2%80%afinvests-in-sustainable%e2%80%afvanilla-produc-1201925
