Sustainability | Sustainably Sourced Organic Ingredients

Taking the long view

Dedicated to ecological preservation and sustainable food production

We operate our business with sustainability in mind, working to respect the environment and ensure a healthy future for all living creatures. As an active member of the Sustainable Food Trade Association, we are continuously evaluating our ecological footprint and looking for areas of impact.

As part of Ciranda’s long-term sustainability efforts, we are now participating in the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA), the world’s leading ethical supply chain audit. Delivered by one of Sedex’s approved auditor companies, SMETA will help us better understand and monitor standards of labor, health and safety, environmental performance and ethics throughout our supply chain. SMETA also delivers corrective action plans to suppliers to improve performance, as necessary.

Why organic?

For a safer, healthier planet and protection from pesticides

Officially, organic certification is governed by an elaborate set of farming and production standards with a narrow list of allowed inputs and processing aids. It prohibits the use of synthetic fertilizers, toxic pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMO’s). For us, organic means so much more. It means taking the long view, which is what we’ve sought out to do since the company was established in 1994.

Organic agriculture enriches the soil, protects water quality, promotes ecological balance and biodiversity, reduces our exposure to synthetic pesticides, and helps preserve our planet for future generations. Organic is the gold standard for food production.

For more information on organic production standards and the benefits of organic agriculture, please visit:
USDA National Organic Program Organic Trade Association The Organic Center Quality Assurance International

Why fair trade?

For a life of opportunity and the right to earn a living wage

We are passionate about fair trade, believing that truly sustainable agriculture means people receive a fair return for their efforts.

Most of our ingredients come from the developing world. Through frequent visits to farmers and manufacturing facilities we are able to observe the living and working conditions firsthand and identify areas where social improvement may be needed.

Our ongoing social engagement with our producers is just one way Ciranda aims to raise standards in our industry.

It is generally understood that fair trade certification ensures farmers and workers earn a living wage and have opportunities to improve their livelihood and advance their communities. It translates to paying fair minimum prices with an extra premium for fair trade lots. Premiums are invested into improvement projects like wells, roads and tool access.

Over half of our ingredients are available with some form of social or fair trade certification upon request.

For more information on the benefits of fair trade:
Fair Trade Certified Fair Trade America

Ciranda

Living and working with sustainability in mind

Our headquarters is located in beautiful Hudson, Wisconsin, along the St. Croix Scenic Riverway. Rooftop solar panels generate a portion of our energy needs, and rainwater catchments gardens collect and divert rainfall from our foundation.

Organically managed gardens surround our buildings which produce a variety of fresh herbs and fruit including plums, pears, raspberries, goji berries, grapes and cherries. Kitchen and yard waste is diverted to our on-site compost which feeds the gardens.

Our wild gardens include coneflowers, milkweed and other native species which benefit our urban beehives. The hives are managed by the University of Minnesota’s Bee Squad.