SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR HERBS AND SPICES: A SUPPLY CHAIN THAT GROWS WITH CARE
At STOP Spices, everything starts with respect. Respect for flavour, people, nature, and everyone who contributes to our value chain — a tradition we have upheld for over 70 years. Every product that leaves our site has travelled a long and rich journey, starting at the source of our raw materials, and ending in our customers’ production lines or in the kitchen of the end consumer. We do not see this chain as a series of separate steps, but as one continuous story in which every partner matters. One in which we consciously choose quality, reliability, and craftsmanship every day.
Photo credits: Anette Kay – Satemwa (Malawi) – social media: FB: @satemwa and IG: @ https://www.instagram.com/satemwa_tea_coffee/
For us, sustainability is not just another chapter from the real work. It is our way of doing business, woven into every link in our value chain: from sustainable sourcing and supplier management to production, logistics, and social engagement. We strongly believe that progress only occurs when we collaborate with our teams, suppliers, customers, and the communities we are part of. That’s how we build an extensive range of herbs and spices that carry both flavour and responsibility.
Anette Kay – Satemwa (Malawi) – social media: FB: @satemwa and IG: @ https://www.instagram.com/satemwa_tea_coffee/
Project Satemwa
People matter to us. To show our solidarity, we are working with Exchange and Satemwa on the ‘Tea for Three’ project. We have contributed our expertise to the project with our personally developed certification and implementation quality system.
This is our way of giving people from the Global South the opportunity for the progress they are entitled to.
Project Satemwa faced structural development challenges, but with important local initiatives and potential, growth is being created through the right partnerships.
Our commitment is to collaborate on solutions that strengthen resilience and enable sustainable growth, delivering both economic and social benefits for local people.
Responsible purchasing: Sustainability from the source
Every sustainable decision starts at the source. Our herbs and spices come from suppliers who work in accordance with strict standards regarding the environment, fair working conditions, traceability, and ethical business practices. We select partners who share our values and who invest in quality, reliability, and sustainability.
Through audits, risk assessments, and long-term collaborations, we build strong relationships that lead to better products and a positive impact on the communities where our raw materials come from. This way, we strengthen sustainable agricultural practices and promote fair supply chains, so that our customers can rely on herbs and spices that have been produced with respect.
Value creation for everyone in our supply chain
For us, creating value means more than economic growth. It encompasses everything required to deliver high-quality, sustainable products every single day:
- Financial capital, so that we can continue to invest in innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.
- Human capital, the knowledge, energy, and commitment of our employees.
- Raw materials that meet strict quality standards and are produced sustainably.
- Production facilities and technology that operate efficiently, safely, and with environmental responsibility.
With these foundations, we create outputs that go beyond products alone: growth, reliability, sustainability, and a positive impact on people and the environment. By continuously improving every step of our value chain, we increase the resilience and future-proofing of our family business.
Social responsibility
Our people are at the heart of STOP Spices. We offer a safe and respectful working environment where training, wellbeing, and growth are key. But our responsibility does not stop at our doors.
We support local communities through Rikolto (an organisation that works to achieve healthy and sustainable food systems), sports initiatives, and projects that promote inclusion. Internationally, we have shared our expertise through Satemwa Malawi (Tea for Life) and collaborate with organisations such as Time to Help. Since 2006, we have also been committed to social employment through customised employment programmes, a choice that fits perfectly with who we are.
Our ambition is to be a stable and reliable partner for our employees, customers, suppliers, and our community. And every year, we want to increase our positive impact.
Our societal impact
The value we create is visible at various levels:
- For our customers: quality, transparency, traceability, and a partner they can trust.
- For our employees: safety, growth, respect, and a culture where everyone’s contribution counts.
- For our suppliers: fair collaboration, knowledge sharing, and incentives to pursue a more sustainable course.
- For society: reduced waste, lower emissions, circular solutions, and responsible use of natural resources.
We minimise our ecological footprint by investing in more efficient processes, economical energy use, and CO₂ reduction. We strengthen our positive impact by working on sustainable packaging, efficient use of raw materials, and a strong governance structure.
Responsible business and good governance
Integrity is essential to us. We want to grow — sustainably, responsibly, and in line with our values. We build teams that are dedicated to our customers, that strive for excellence, and care for the environment.
Innovation, entrepreneurship, and responsibility have been our backbone for more than 70 years, and have helped us build strong, long-term partnerships.
Ecological responsibility
Ecology isn’t just a buzzword for us, but a daily mindset. We work according to the principle of ‘minimal consumption, maximum efficiency’. We limit the waste of raw materials, water and energy, use recyclable packaging, and have achieved over 35% lower energy consumption thanks to internal optimisations.
Our logistics are also evolving towards greater sustainability. Electric and hybrid vehicles, optimised distribution routes, and smart planning contribute to lower emissions and more efficient deliveries. In this way, we are building a range of herbs and spices with a responsible footprint.
Anette Kay – Satemwa (Malawi) – social media: FB: @satemwa and IG: @ https://www.instagram.com/satemwa_tea_coffee/
Our vision for the future
You do not build the future alone, but together.
We remain committed to:
greater transparency and traceability
lower emissions, energy use, and waste
circular and sustainable solutions
safe, inclusive, and fair employment
innovative processes with a lower ecological footprint
strong, sustainable partnerships
We stay true to our values:
a family business with an international outlook, local roots,
and a deep commitment to flavour, quality, and responsibility.