Overview#
Frontier Co-op is a cooperatively owned American wholesaler of natural and organic herbs, spices, and botanical products, founded in 1976 and headquartered in Norway, Iowa. The company operates as a member-owned cooperative with over 50,000 member-owners, dedicated to ethical sourcing and putting people and planet before profits.
The cooperative sells products under three main brands: Frontier Co-op (bulk herbs, spices, and seasonings), Simply Organic (100% certified organic spices), and Aura Cacia (essential oils and aromatherapy products). The company manufactures about 1,800 products and distributes over 7,500 other brands.
Key Facts#
- Founded: 1976 (Eastern Iowa)
- Founders: Rick Stewart and Colleen Greenhaw
- Headquarters: 3021 78th St, Norway, Iowa 52318
- CEO: Tony Bedard (since 2003)
- Employees: ~575
- Member-Owners: 50,000+
- Annual Sales: ~$235.9 million (2023)
- Facilities: 4 locations in Iowa (Norway, Belle Plaine, North Liberty)
- Products Manufactured: ~1,800
- Products Distributed: 7,500+ (other brands)
DSLD Database Statistics#
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Products in DSLD | 0 |
| Notes | Primarily sells bulk herbs, spices, and aromatherapy - not registered as dietary supplements |
Marketplace Presence#
| Platform | Presence | Details |
|---|---|---|
| iHerb | ✅ Yes | Brand code: FRO |
| Amazon | ✅ Yes | Official store with Herbs, Spices, Teas, Extracts |
| Wholesale | ✅ Yes | wholesale.frontiercoop.com |
Certifications & Standards#
- ✓ USDA Organic Certified (first herb/spice manufacturer FDA certified, 1986)
- ✓ Fair Trade Certified (first Fair Trade spices in U.S.)
- ✓ Non-GMO Project Verified
- ✓ Kosher Certified
- ✓ Member-Owned Cooperative since 1979
Brand Portfolio#
| Brand | Year Acquired/Launched | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Frontier Co-op | 1976 | Bulk herbs, spices, seasonings |
| Aura Cacia | 1993 (acquired) | Essential oils, aromatherapy |
| Simply Organic | 2001 (launched) | 100% organic spices |
| Plant Boss | 2020 | Meatless crumbles |
| Coop Market | - | Retail marketplace |
Corporate History#
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Founded by Rick Stewart and Colleen Greenhaw in Eastern Iowa |
| 1979 | Incorporated as customer-owned cooperative |
| 1980 | First patronage refunds issued to member-owners |
| 1986 | First herb/spice manufacturer FDA certified for organic processing |
| 1991 | Tony Bedard joins as head of Operations |
| 1993 | Acquired Aura Cacia aromatherapy brand |
| 2001 | Launched Simply Organic brand |
| 2003 | Tony Bedard named CEO |
| 2008 | First Fair Trade Certified spices in U.S. |
| 2020 | Launched Plant Boss meatless crumbles |
| 2024 | CEO Tony Bedard inducted into CDF Cooperative Hall of Fame |
Social Responsibility#
Frontier Co-op is known for its commitment to social responsibility:
- On-site childcare since founding
- Organic café at headquarters
- Well Earth supplier development program
- Simply Organic Giving Fund ($1M+ in donations)
- Support for smallholder farmers and regenerative agriculture
Brand Status Evidence#
| Aspect | Evidence | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Website | www.frontiercoop.com active | ✅ Active |
| Amazon Store | Official storefront present | ✅ Active |
| iHerb Presence | Brand code FRO | ✅ Active |
| Recent News | 2024 Hall of Fame induction | ✅ Active |
| Revenue | $235.9M (2023) | ✅ Active |
Conclusion: Frontier Co-op is an active brand with strong market presence, growing revenue, and continued product development.
Generated by DogTag | DEEP Investigation completed: 2025-12-31
Relationships
From this profile →
- → Owns brand: Simply Organic (external) (2001)
- → Owns brand: Aura Cacia (external) (1993)
- → Owns brand: Plant Boss (external) (2020)