Rapunzel
Posted - February 1, 2006
Rapunzel’s 30 Years More than a Fairytale
By Wolfgang Dannebaum - as printed in O.W.N. Spring 2006
Last fall, a company called Rapunzel celebrated its 30th anniversary in a three-day festival similar to those described in the fairytales. Like guests flocking to the Prince’s ball, more than 25,000 guests took over the picturesque town of Legau, located in the alpine foothills of Bavaria close to Lake Constance, where the company has its headquarters.
Today, Rapunzel is Europe’s leading brand-name manufacturer and distributor of organic goods, producing over 600 delicious organic products and cooperatively working with thousands of organic farmers in more than 30 countries worldwide.
The festival was actually a fair in which Rapunzel let down its hair. It featured the company and its partner programs. Suppliers and foreign customers attended. A group of 75 stands showcased information on a range of eco-conscious and sustainable topics, from smart energy-saving homes and appliances and natural and ergonomic furniture, to lessons about health, food, music, performances, food and lots of fun for children and grown ups. Guests were attracted by the spirit of fun and cooperation that the company managers have grown among the people they deal with, the company said.
All three of the founders have been working at Rapunzel since 1974. Joseph Wilhelm, Hans-Peter Erlinger and Jennifer Vermeulen are organic pioneers with vision of what a sustainable business should be.
In 30 years, a basic natural food store has developed into a company with 250 employees and annual turnover of 70 million Euro. The company boasts commercial operations in France and the United States. The wide selection of Rapunzel products is available at 2,000-plus natural and organic stores in Germany alone. The company sources for top quality organic and fair trade ingredients from over 30 countries and exports its processed goods to 31 countries in all five continents.
Rapunzel’s assortment of products includes bread spreads, nuts, dried fruits, cereals, grains, grain products, rice, seeds, legumes, pasta and tomato sauces, salad oils and cooking fats, various spices and natural soup flavourings, natural sweeteners, baking ingredients, tasty snacks, chocolate bars and powdered drinks.
The company’s own HAND IN HAND symbol stands for ecological and fair partnership. It identifies fair trade products which originate from ecological agriculture and are sourced directly from the HAND IN HAND partners. The symbol is awarded on the basis of the HAND IN HAND criteria.
Rapunzel believes in giving back to the cooperatives that adhere to sustainable farming practices. It contributes to education, health and environmental programs dedicated to improving the quality of life in local communities.
