Originally a cooperative that supplied herbs and spices to members who were also cooperatives, Frontier Natural Products Co-op has expanded significantly from its humble origins. It was founded by two people in a cabin on the Cedar River in eastern Iowa in 1976, the same year Honest Weight was founded in the basement of Sharon and Gary Goldberg’s home in Albany. Initially, Frontier acted as a wholesaler, repackaging herbs and spices into smaller amounts for retailers to sell in bulk to customers.

In 1988, a line of packaged spices was introduced, which later led to the development of the Simply Organic line. The expanding company gradually added new products in addition to the spices and herbs. In 1991, Frontier introduced a line of gourmet, organic whole bean coffees, which they sold after ten years to Green Mountain Coffee. Additional products included herbal extracts, certified organic beer (later discontinued) and aromatherapy items. The latter are sold under the name Aura Cacia, a line that Frontier purchased in 1993. Aura Cacia is now celebrating its 25th year. Its focus, according to the website, is “100% pure essential oils and all-natural personal care products.” In 2002 Frontier established the Simply Organic brand, which offers a range of items: packaged organic spices, as well as mixes for desserts, fat-free salad dressing and seasonings (such as pasta sauces, chili, and southwestern). Frontier demonstrates its commitment to organic agriculture by donating one percent of all Simply Organic sales to support organizations that promote organic agriculture.

Other examples of social responsibility include extensive recycling practices, the establishment of 22 acres of tallgrass prairie near their 85,000- square-foot facility in Norway (Iowa), and a commitment to using and promoting green power. Since 1983, Frontier’s childcare center has served the children of employees, as well as children from the surrounding neighborhood. Frontier subsidizes the costs of both childcare and the lunch program. Organic meals are available for less than $3, and options include vegan or vegetarian meals. Working Mother magazine commended the company — three years in a row — as one of the 100 best companies for working mothers.

Frontier’s products are well represented at Honest Weight. Many of the bulk herbs in HaBA come from Frontier. These are the organic herbs, so customers interested in buying from this company should look for the organic bulk herbs. For those customers interested in buying herbs and spices in jars, Simply Organic herbs and spices are also available. HaBA also carries some loose teas from Frontier, as well as essential oils sold under the Aura Cacia label. And finally, salad dressing mixes from Simply Organics are available in grocery.

From a cooperative founded by two guys in 1976, Frontier has grown to an impressive organization that today employs more than 300 people. As Honest Weight now looks to moving to a new, larger site, we should celebrate the success of cooperative ventures! 1976 was a good year.

Sources: www.frontiercoop.com; Connie at Frontier customer services, via phone; www.hwfc.com.