As we once again approach the holiday season and the close of another meaningful year, I’m filled with gratitude and a sense of purpose. This year, our co-op has continued to build on its mission to nourish people and planet, and none of our work would be possible without the support and patronage of our member-owners. It’s our shared commitment to using our co-op as a source for good in the world that allows us to make an impact far beyond the four walls of our company, both at home in Iowa and in the global communities we work with around the world.

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to visit one of our long-term farmer resilience projects in Madagascar. Our partnerships here have been ongoing for years, and over time, we’ve supported projects ranging from building schools, improving access to drinking water, and improving crop and business resiliency for farmers. But in 2021, we embarked on our most dynamic project yet in the SAVA region, where our vanilla is grown. In partnership with our supplier, we’ve committed $240,000 over three years to a multi-faceted initiative aimed at improving resilience and stability of vanilla farmers in this region, while promoting sustainable, regenerative agricultural practices.

Seeing this work in action was inspiring. One key component of the project is improving food security and income diversification through regenerative agroforestry, supported by the Duke Lemur Center. This approach encourages young farmers to grow not just cash crops like vanilla but also subsistence crops, creating a more balanced and resilient agricultural system.

Another important component involves introducing Village Savings and Loans Associations, or VSLAs, within these vanilla cooperatives. This self-managed model helps promote long-term savings, provides a means of insurance within the communities, and fosters financial stability and independence in a region where centralized banking and financial services are often scarce or distrusted. Witnessing the positive changes these programs bring to these farmers and their families has been deeply moving and reinforces the importance of our long-term partnerships within these origin communities.

Once again, none of this would be possible without you. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Your ongoing support enables us to make a difference in the lives of so many, from the farmers in Madagascar to the employees right here in our community. I’m excited to see what 2025 has in store for all of us as we continue this important work together.

Wishing you a safe and warm holiday season and new year.

Happy holidays,

Tony