LAKELAND, Minn. — There’s only one vanilla company in the world that can claim the highest organic standards, and it’s in Minnesota.
“We wanted to make vanilla better, and here we are… Let’s make the best vanilla. Let’s make the best vanilla you’ve ever eaten,” said Vanilla Bean Project co-founder. said Sarah Kubiak.
Sarah and her husband, Andy Kubiak, both have experience in the food industry. Andy has been in the organic food industry for over 20 years and Sarah has worked with many food companies as a public relations representative.
The Lakeland-based couple wanted to start a business together and chose Vanilla.
“There’s nothing like it in the world. We love this story. You know, it’s an orchid,” Sarah said. “I love how people’s eyes just light up when I talk about vanilla.”
In late 2018, the couple launched the Vanilla Bean Project using the first batch of pure vanilla extract.
“At the time, an ounce of vanilla beans cost the same as an ounce of silver,” Andy recalls. “We were in the facility…I remember looking at Sarah and saying, ‘Don’t spill it.’ We couldn’t spill it because the value of vanilla at that time was so high.”
The Vanilla Bean Project began by selling small bottles at farmers’ markets. Today, we do everything from small bottles for retail sale to bulk orders for food manufacturers.
“Then we found ourselves in literally 10,000 stores, so it’s really kind of amazing that we can be part of other people’s brands,” Andy said.
The product contains several types of pure vanilla extract and pure vanilla bean paste, which is popular among bakers.
Most of our vanilla comes from Madagascar, but we also source it from Indonesia.
“While people may be well aware of what happens in the coffee and chocolate supply chains, they are less aware that these exact same labor issues and worker rights concerns are absolutely happening in vanilla as well. You might not even realize it,” Sarah said. . “So we wanted to raise awareness about it.”
Last May, Vanilla Bean Project achieved Regenerated Organic Certified (ROC) status for its pure vanilla extract.
“We are the first in the world to produce ROC Pure Vanilla Extract and there is no other company in the world currently doing it,” Andy said.
ROC considers soil health, animal welfare, and farm worker equity.
Patagonia helped create a nonprofit organization called the Regenerative Organic Alliance to own and manage the ROC program.
Patagonia claims to have the highest organic standards.
“We want to make vanilla better for the planet, better for the people who grow it, and better for the people who use it in their products,” Sarah said. “So this is a very tangible way of demonstrating our values.”
Currently, ROC vanilla beans are sourced from Indonesia. Andy expects to be producing almost exclusively his ROC products within about two months.
“We think this niche…is the perfect niche for us into the future,” Andy said.
Vanilla Bean Project products can be found at many food co-ops and can also be ordered through their website and Amazon.
Do you know a local business that should be featured in our Behind the Business segment? Email Heidi Wigdahl hwigdahl@kare11.com.
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