The new facility has 165,0000 sq. ft. of storage and 30,000 sq. ft. of refrigerated storage to serve the high demand from customers on the West Coast. It has all the systems necessary to uphold fair trade and organic-certified ingredients, company officials said.
Although Suanfarma has seen a notable increase in customer desire for organically certified ingredients in the past few years, especially from the West Coast, Tammy Walton, business development manager for the company, said the increase in storage capacity wasn’t solely due to heightened demand.
“[We’re] also aiming to increase our ability to efficiently cater to our West Coast clientele,” Walton said.
Additionally, catering to those clients means offering a Fair Trade certification that endorses social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and ethical supply chain practices. Suanfarma chose Fair for Life certification for its New Jersey and Utah facilities.
“[The certification] has a significant impact on employees’ well-being and the environment, which aligns perfectly with the current consumer preference for sustainable, ethically-traded products,” Walton said. “It serves as tangible evidence of our dedication to creating a positive impact and sets us apart from competitors who may not share the same level of commitment.”
Fair for Life Certification
Created in 2006 by the Swiss Bio-Foundation in cooperation with the IMO Group, approximately 700 organizations in more than 70 countries have implemented the Fair for Life (FFL) certification. The standard requires a respect for human rights and fair working conditions. In addition, it asks for organizations to protect the ecosystem, promote biodiversity and calls for the betterment of local impact.
Suanfarma said it is increasing its organic, FFL ingredients line, including ashwagandha extract, banaba leaf (Lagerstroemia speciosa) extract, organic cinnamon powder, melissa (lemon balm) extract, tart cherry powder, organic turmeric powder, organic ginger powder, among others.
There’s an intricate supply chain behind these products and Suanfarma said it believes fair trade should apply to the entire chain.
“This requires ensuring everyone involved in the process is fairly treated, and that environmental considerations are paramount,” Walton said. “Ultimately, this ensures Suanfarma USA can offer a great range of trusted organic ingredients. A transparent and ethical supply chain is vital to all stakeholders, and we are excited to continue making a positive and lasting impact on society and the world we share.”
Suanfarma’s customers are looking for added value that can set them apart from their competitors and Walton said the Fair for Life certification does that because it has a significant impact on employees’ well-being and the environment, which aligns perfectly with the current consumer preference for sustainable, ethically-traded products.
