Our commitment to responsible sourcing means we strive to improve the quality of life in farming communities, helping to make them more stable, resilient and prosperous. We annually re-evaluate where our efforts and investments will create the most value and how we can continue to reach more people.
The patchouli oil supply chain in Indonesia faces significant environmental, social and economic challenges – from deforestation and plastic waste to the high number of intermediaries involved in the process that can hinder transparency. Ensuring ethical practices means reducing our environmental impact and supporting workers and grower communities. In 2021, we continued our shared value program to support patchouli farming communities in Indonesia through For Life certification in three main geographic areas (Bali, Sulawesi and Flores), where, to date, nearly 900 farmers have been For Life certified.
We also support local reforestation efforts to protect the biodiversity of the region — establishing community seedling nurseries, supporting women’s empowerment through the nurseries and offering sustainable resources management training on topics such as sustainable firewood collection.
Our impact is focused in three main geographic areas in Indonesia:
To support reforestation and protect biodiversity, we have planted more than 85,000 trees since 2019 – comprising 19 distinct species – restoring approximately 2,000 hectares.
IFF Vanilla prioritizes responsible sourcing from end to end throughout the value chain, from sourcing to processing. Vanilla production requires a careful process of pollination by hand—and producers in Madagascar and Indonesia are masters in this ancient practice, passing on their wisdom for generations. Without local communities, cultivating top-quality Vanilla wouldn’t be possible. That’s why we foster long-term partnerships with our valued suppliers and small producers to achieve responsible, equitable sourcing practices. Our Vanilla can empower consumers, manufacturers, and the industry to do more good.
“IFF and LMR are proud to leverage our transparent and responsible sourcing principles on vanilla for our customers in a country like Madagascar, where this sustainable vanilla supply chain improves the livelihood of hundreds of families.” – Bertrand de Preville, General Manager, LMR Naturals by IFF
“IFF and LMR are proud to leverage our transparent and responsible sourcing principles on vanilla for our customers in a country like Madagascar, where this sustainable vanilla supply chain improves the livelihood of hundreds of families.”
Did you know that up to 90 percent of a consumer’s assessment of food is based on color? That’s why we make color an essential part of our Product Design process, going above and beyond to ensure the quality, performance, and integrity of our natural color solutions. In Guatemala, we’ve seen these benefits firsthand through our annatto sourcing partnership. We’ve helped local farmers – mostly women – implement new farming techniques and training for greater yields, which in turn achieved around 15 percent less impact on packing material, fuel, fertilizer, and labor. From paprika to annatto, IFF Natural Colors elevate appearance and flavor perception in an extensive range of products, all while doing more good for people and the planet.