Burlap & Barrel

Burlap & Barrel sources spices directly from small farms and cooperatives around the world, bypassing brokers to keep supply chains short. Founded in October 2016 as a Public Benefit Corporation, they have paid partner farmers over $3.5 million by 2023, typically offering two to ten times the commodity price for single-origin spices.

The company works with farmers in countries including Afghanistan, Guatemala, Vietnam, Hungary, Colombia, and France, making purchase commitments and advance payments to provide financial stability. They visit farms regularly to maintain long-term relationships and have helped partners expand into value-added activities like sorting, grinding, and blending. Their Origin Blends line keeps blend development at the source, with traditional recipes prepared by the farmers themselves. They appeared on Shark Tank in April 2023, introducing their direct-sourcing model to a national television audience.