Introduction
Simply Organic is a leading U.S. brand specializing in certified organic herbs, spices, seasonings, extracts, and baking ingredients. As part of the Frontier Co-op family of brands, Simply Organic is committed to producing high-quality organic food products while promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and community wellbeing. Beyond its commercial operations, the company operates the Simply Organic Giving Fund, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity and supporting organic agriculture. These efforts make Simply Organic an important contributor to both the organic food industry and charitable giving in North America.
History and Background
Simply Organic was established as the original all-organic spice brand under Frontier Co-op, a cooperative founded in 1976 and headquartered in Norway, Iowa, USA. For more than two decades, the brand has focused on offering USDA-certified organic herbs, spices, seasoning blends, baking flavors, extracts, simmer sauces, and related food products.
Supporting organic agriculture has been a core value since the brand’s early years. Since 2001, Simply Organic has invested millions of dollars in initiatives that strengthen organic farming, improve grower livelihoods, expand research, and promote sustainable food systems worldwide.
In 2018, the company expanded its social impact by launching the Simply Organic Giving Fund’s current focus on combating food insecurity across the United States and Canada through strategic nonprofit partnerships.
Mission and Purpose
Simply Organic’s mission is to nourish lives through inherently better food while protecting people and the planet.
Its primary objectives include:
- Producing 100% certified organic herbs, spices, and food ingredients.
- Supporting sustainable and environmentally responsible farming practices.
- Promoting ethical sourcing and long-term relationships with grower communities.
- Increasing access to nutritious organic food for underserved populations.
- Investing in healthier communities through philanthropic grantmaking.
- Preserving natural resources for future generations.
The company believes that organic food benefits consumers, farming communities, and the environment simultaneously. Its business model integrates product quality with social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Governance and Structure
Simply Organic operates as one of the consumer brands of Frontier Co-op, a purpose-driven cooperative recognized for its commitment to ethical business practices and sustainability.
Its governance framework includes:
- Management under the Frontier Co-op organization.
- Corporate oversight emphasizing environmental, social, and ethical responsibility.
- Collaboration with nonprofit organizations, organic growers, and community partners.
- Administration of the Simply Organic Giving Fund through structured grant application and review processes.
- Corporate investment in community development, employee volunteerism, and sustainable sourcing initiatives.
The organization combines commercial operations with charitable investments to create long-term positive social and environmental outcomes.
Funding and Grants
One of Simply Organic’s most significant philanthropic initiatives is the Simply Organic Giving Fund.
Key features include:
- Established to support organic agriculture and community wellbeing.
- Since 2018, primarily focused on reducing food insecurity in the United States and Canada.
- Supports nonprofit organizations working to improve access to healthy, organic, nutrient-dense foods.
- Awards competitive grants through an annual application process.
- Funding supports innovative, community-based solutions addressing systemic food insecurity.
- Since 2001, the Giving Fund has contributed more than US$2 million toward organic agriculture, grower communities, research, and food access initiatives.
- Since shifting its focus to food insecurity, the fund has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to nonprofit organizations across North America.
Organizations interested in applying can find eligibility requirements, application guidelines, and deadlines on the Simply Organic Giving Fund webpage.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Simply Organic supports numerous initiatives that advance organic agriculture and community wellbeing.
Major programs include:
- Simply Organic Giving Fund
- Annual grants supporting nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity.
- Investments in community food systems and healthy food access.
- Organic Agriculture Development
- Support for farmers transitioning to organic production.
- Assistance for grower communities in developing countries.
- Investment in agricultural education and training.
- Community Food Access
- Funding projects that distribute healthy organic foods.
- Support for community gardens, urban agriculture, and food banks.
- Research and Education
- Support for sustainable agriculture research.
- Promotion of organic farming practices.
- Educational initiatives encouraging healthier food systems.
- Grower Community Support
- Infrastructure improvements.
- Clean water projects.
- Community development initiatives.
- Educational opportunities for farming families.
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Employee volunteer programs.
- Community partnerships.
- Environmental sustainability initiatives.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
The Simply Organic Giving Fund has generated measurable social and environmental impact through grants supporting nonprofit organizations and sustainable agriculture initiatives.
Examples of impact include:
- Funding organizations that improve access to nutritious organic foods in underserved communities.
- Supporting refugee, immigrant, and low-income populations experiencing food insecurity.
- Investing in urban farming and community agriculture projects.
- Strengthening food distribution systems serving vulnerable populations.
- Supporting educational programs promoting organic agriculture.
- Helping international grower communities improve farming practices and livelihoods.
- Financing infrastructure projects such as training centers, schools, and clean water systems in agricultural communities.
Recent grant recipients have included organizations such as Dion’s Chicago Dream, Matthew 25, Project Worthmore, Working Theory Farm, and TABLE, all working to expand equitable access to healthy food and strengthen local food systems.
Conclusion
Simply Organic has established itself as more than an organic food brand by integrating sustainability, ethical sourcing, and community investment into its business model. Through the Simply Organic Giving Fund, the company provides meaningful financial support to nonprofit organizations working to reduce food insecurity while continuing to promote organic agriculture and responsible farming practices. Its combination of high-quality certified organic products, environmental stewardship, and philanthropic grantmaking has positioned Simply Organic as a respected leader in the organic food sector and a valuable partner for organizations advancing healthier, more sustainable communities.
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