Here at Marlene’s, we are extremely grateful for the relationships we have with our producers and suppliers. Last April, Nick, our Bulk Department Head, and I took a trip to Iowa to tour Frontier Co-Op! We wanted to find out exactly what has kept them at the forefront of the culinary and medicinal herbs game for over 40 years.
We love seeing our producers in action, so one of the first stops on the tour was the Frontier Co-Op production facility, headquartered on 56 acres outside of downtown Norway, Iowa - home to just over 500 people. Frontier's Vice President of Operations, Jen Olsen, explained how their commitment to sustainability is built into the way they work every day. In 2011 they developed sustainable packaging standards. Every product that they make is tracked from soil to shelf in order to attain their goal of using only 100% reclaimable materials.
Cole Daily is in charge of global sourcing, and as the tour moved on, he explained how being proactive about conquering unfair labor practices, healing the earth and building up small farmers is the basis for each sourcing decision they make. Supply chain investment is critical to Frontier’s mission. They established the Well Earth program, which aims to create long-term mutually beneficial relationships with farmers by removing unnecessary costs so that funds can be reinvested in farmers and support the expansion of organic farming.
Outside of the main facility, we attended a few classes at the nearby Indian Creek Nature Center. Their organization has been helping to guide local establishments in areas of sustainable building and operating practices since 1993. Here we learned that Frontier is also the driving force behind brands like Simply Organic, makers of bottled herbs and spices, as well as Aura Cacia, who offer a wide range of organic essential oils.
We love Frontier for the quality and diversity of their products, as well as their ambitious programs addressing concerns like environmental impact and employee well-being.
Please give us a call for today’s deli hours as they can vary due to staffing.
Grab and go options are always available until close.
FEDERAL WAY
Monday-Saturday: 8 am - 8 pm
Sunday: 9 am - 7 pm
Please call for current deli counter service hours. Grab and go options available until closing.
2565 S. Gateway Center Place
Federal Way, WA 98003
TACOMA
Monday-Saturday: 8 am - 8 pm
Sunday: 9 am - 7 pm
Please call for current deli counter service hours. Grab and go options available until closing.
2951 S. 38th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409