TRIBAL VANILLA

BEHIND THE BUSINESS: Joanne, Gary and Rochelle Edwards

Improving lives is their day job. Though Joanne (right) , Gary (middle) and Rochelle (left) reside in Calgary, the impact they have is on a global scale. They sell high quality vanilla extract and beans sourced from Mexico and Uganda, respectively. Their company Tribal Vanilla, uses a direct fair trade business model, meaning that the small scale farmers that they source from are paid directly and fairly for their work, and therefore can improve the lives of themselves and their families. Speaking to them about their journey, it’s apparent that the Edwards are extremely passionate about their products and supporting the people behind them. They want to help consumers reconceptualize their role in the marketplace— when you buy from Tribal Vanilla, you’re more than just a consumer, you’re a part of a community that’s changing lives.

3 Reasons We Love Them:

*They use a direct fair-trade business model— in short, this means the small scale farmers that they source from get paid prior to harvests and receive more money than they would on the open market

* They unite communities by helping farmers create sustainable agriculture

*They prioritize establishing personal, on the ground connections with their farmers

Read their Q&A here: https://www.leedr.ca/blog-buylocal/yyc-feature-tribal-vanilla

Find them at: https://www.tribalvanilla.com/