The original members of the Frontier Board of Directors.

Frontier Co-op History

Frontier Co-op began as a two-person operation in 1976 in a river cabin in Eastern Iowa. Since then we‘ve grown steadily to become a major supplier to the natural products industry. Our success throughout the years reflects our close harmony with the product needs and the values of our members and consumers.

Original Frontier Co-op sign at the Norway dock doors in 1982/83.

Original Frontier Co-op sign at the Norway dock doors in 1982/83

Frontier Co-op researcher harvesting basil in 1996.

Frontier Co-op researcher harvesting basil in 1996

Yin Yang Garden at Frontier Co-op in 1996.

Yin Yang Garden at Frontier Co-op in 1996

Herbfest, hosted by Frontier Co-op, 1998

Herbfest, hosted by Frontier Co-op, 1998

Frontier Co-op products from the Spring/Summer Catalog, 1998

Frontier Co-op products from the Spring/Summer Catalog, 1998

Frontier Co-op childcare, 2005

Frontier Co-op childcare, 2005

Dedication ceremony for the Kathy Larson Tall Grass Prairie, in 2014.

Dedication ceremony for the Kathy Larson Tall Grass Prairie, in 2014

1970 - 1979

Began selling herbs and spices to local co-ops as a two-person operation in a small riverside cabin.
Added first organic products to line and lead in promoting the environmental and social benefits of organics.
Bought 5,200 sq. ft. grocery store in Fairfax, Iowa, and moved operations there.
Began bottling Frontier Co-op essential oils in response to store requests.
Began selling other manufacturer’s products in response to store requests.
Incorporated as cooperative owned by customers.

1980 - 1989

Returned first patronage refund to Frontier Co-op member/owners.
Elected Frontier Co-op’s first Board of Directors.
Purchased 10 acres near Norway, Iowa, and built 22,152 sq. ft. facility.
Listed 78th on Inc. magazine’s list of “America’s Fastest Growing Companies.”
Established subsidized on-site childcare and cafeteria.
First in the natural products industry to use a natural CO2 fumigation process.

1990 - 1999

Launched line of Frontier Co-op brand bottled spices.
Established tall grass prairie on Norway site.
Introduced cryogenic grinding to preserve product quality in processing.
Hosted the first of 13 HerbFest conferences, the country’s largest annual conference on herbs and sustainable living.
Bought Aura Cacia aromatherapy brand.
Implemented an in-house Gas Chromatography testing program to ensure essential oil quality.

2000 - 2009

Introduced the Simply Organic brand, a 100% organic line.
Began offering Fair Trade Certified teas.
Established the Well Earth program to develop high quality and socially responsible suppliers around the world.
Published Frontier Co-op’s first Sustainability Report.
Introduced the first Fair Trade Certified spices in U.S.
Established the Simply Organic Scholarship at the University of California Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems.

2010 - 2019

Implemented steam sterilization to naturally eliminate pathogens while maintaining product flavor and aroma.
Purchased and renovated 100,000 sq. ft. facility in North Liberty.
Aura Cacia built a preschool in Madagascar for supplier community children.
With Simply Organic Giving Fund, the Well Earth program built 49 new wells in the communities supplying our vanilla.
Provided 300 dormitory-style bunk beds and school subsidize so Vietnamese children can attend school.
Launched first Non-GMO Project Verified products, including the first Non-GMO Verified vanillas available.
Simply Organic Giving Fund reached $1 million in donations supporting organics.
Purchased and renovated warehouse facility in Belle Plaine, Iowa.
Helped our Well Earth co-op supplier Fedecovera expand their dental services into a new clinic.
Launched Breaking Down Barriers to Employment initiative

2020 - Present

Launched Plant Boss brand in 2021
Aura Cacia Positive Change Project surpassed $1 million in grants in 2022
Co-op received national recognition for Breaking Down Barriers to Employment initiative
First materiality assessment conducted in 2024
Simply Organic Giving Fund surpassed $1 million in grants dedicated to fighting food insecurity in 2025