Burlap & Barrel

Burlap & Barrel is a public benefit corporation working to transform the global spice trade by eliminating exploitation in food supply chains. Most spices pass through a complex web of middlemen, leaving farmers with only a small fraction of their value. Burlap & Barrel addresses this by sourcing single-origin spices directly from smallholder farmers in 27 countries, paying them 2–10 times the typical commodity price. By building transparent, long-term relationships and paying upfront during harvest, the enterprise ensures farmers receive fair compensation and gain economic stability.

Since launching in 2016, Burlap & Barrel has paid over $1.7 million directly to farmers, helping them grow resilient, sustainable businesses rooted in regenerative agriculture. Their model supports over 800 small-scale producers across diverse regions—from Zanzibar to Guatemala—offering them access to global markets without the usual barriers. With a growing customer base of chefs and home cooks in the U.S., the company’s socially responsible business practices have proven both scalable and impactful.

This Kiva loan will enable Burlap & Barrel to continue pre-financing spice purchases from farmers at premium rates, expanding their sourcing network and deepening their impact. By supporting this loan, Kiva lenders help strengthen a transparent and equitable supply chain that benefits communities around the world while bringing exceptional spices to market.