Our History
From the Field evolved from two of the founders’ Peace Corps
experience living in a rural village in the Mananara Nord region of
Madagascar. For two years, we worked alongside vanilla, clove, and
coffee growers. We learned first-hand the complicated process of
hand-pollinating, cultivating and curing vanilla beans. We also saw the
low prices that growers received for their vanilla, cloves and coffee, as
they relied on multiple middlemen to bring their products from their
rural communities to international markets.
Working together with regional grower associations, we began
exploring options for direct trade, sending several vanilla samples to
the U.S. to show to potential buyers. One such sample was chosen as
the top choice in a blind test held by a panel of chocolate industry
experts. With the help of partners in the United States, we then
implemented our first pilot project, bringing Mananara vanilla to
Scharffen Berger Chocolates, a gourmet manufacturer in San
Francisco.
After this first success, the project was expanded and From the Field
came into existence. Since then, connoisseurs are increasingly
recognizing From the Field as a reliable, affordable source of high
quality, single origin vanilla beans. Currently, FTF is also developing
community partnerships throughout Madagascar for cacao, cloves,
handicrafts, and essential oils.
From the Field evolved from two of the founders’ Peace Corps
experience living in a rural village in the Mananara Nord region of
Madagascar. For two years, we worked alongside vanilla, clove, and
coffee growers. We learned first-hand the complicated process of
hand-pollinating, cultivating and curing vanilla beans. We also saw the
low prices that growers received for their vanilla, cloves and coffee, as
they relied on multiple middlemen to bring their products from their
rural communities to international markets.
Working together with regional grower associations, we began
exploring options for direct trade, sending several vanilla samples to
the U.S. to show to potential buyers. One such sample was chosen as
the top choice in a blind test held by a panel of chocolate industry
experts. With the help of partners in the United States, we then
implemented our first pilot project, bringing Mananara vanilla to
Scharffen Berger Chocolates, a gourmet manufacturer in San
Francisco.
After this first success, the project was expanded and From the Field
came into existence. Since then, connoisseurs are increasingly
recognizing From the Field as a reliable, affordable source of high
quality, single origin vanilla beans. Currently, FTF is also developing
community partnerships throughout Madagascar for cacao, cloves,
handicrafts, and essential oils.
| From the FIeld founders at their former home near Mananara, Madagascar |
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Copyright 2007, From the Field, Inc.
| Preparing vanilla for processing |
| In the Masoala forest |
| From the Field Trading Company |
| Fair trade products of Madagascar |
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