Hello! Welcome to the Hive on I-5

“Once you notice vanilla, you will smell it everywhere; it’s in sweets, pharmaceuticals, mosquito repellents, seltzers, makeup and hair products. When real estate agents host open houses or advise clients, they suggest infusing the house with vanilla, for its particular ability to put buyers at ease,” by Ms. Aimee Nezhukumatathil, author of “Bite by Bite: Nourishments and  Jamborees," from which this essay is adapted, August 4, 2024.

I want to indulge you in this flavourful journey that’s like a dance party for your taste buds that ignites the loud silence of whispering tales of far-away lands. This is not just another Vanilla brand; It’s a heartwarming Journey inspired by some amazing and resilient vanilla farmers of Uganda who gave us a chance to reintroduce this flavour with a mission to make a difference and bring you high-quality Vanilla. 

The Journey to Hive on I-5 Organics

This is a story about a place I call home and an affirmation of the rich cultures and beauty of Uganda’s unique offer to the world. I have seen how resolute and dedicated Uganda’s vanilla farmers are to cultivating high-quality vanilla, and I knew I had to share their incredible work with the world. This is a heartfelt commitment to showcase these unique flavours and the stories behind them.  This leap into the vanilla market comes with complex navigation and has not always been easy, but the passion to make a difference gave us the oomph to continue one step at a time. Our focus is bringing you organic vanilla not only because it's an amazing flavour but also because it stands for purity and sustainable practices, connecting you to quality, ethics, and community.

Empowerment Through Collaboration

We can confidently say the heart and soul of our effort are our famers. These are incredible people who pour their passion and labour into every vanilla bean while facing some extraordinary challenges like inadequate markets and fluctuations in vanilla prices with unwavering dedication. Vanilla orchid plants require timely pollination, and yet the process of pollination, usually done by hand, is a tedious task requiring your greatest attention. In our pursuit to lighten their load, we have partnered with local bee farmers who have re-established bee farming in areas with the most need to help with pollination of vanilla orchid flowers. This initiative aims at easing the workload of hand pollinating while making sure both quality and yield are sufficient to sustain their lively hoods and an abundance for your consumption.

By working with Hive on I-5 Organics, you are ensuring that vanilla farmers gain access to markets that would otherwise be out of reach, gain access to fair trade practices, training, and resources to improve their livelihoods, invest in their future, and focus on what they do well—growing that exquisite vanilla that the Hive on I-5 brings to you.

To those who have walked alongside us here at the Hive on I-5 Orgasnics so far, your love for premium vanilla and commitment to making your communities better inspire us every day. Apwoyo matek (thank you).  To those curious about this opportunity, come on into the hive; there is room for everyone and all your inspirations.

With gratitude,

Laker and the amazing team at the Hive on I-5