Since 2014, October 17th has been National Real Vanilla Day, a UK-based celebration of sustainability, farmers and flavours, and of everything LittlePod stands for.

This autumn, we’ve decided to do things differently. For 2020, we’re expanding our campaign, going global and making National Real Vanilla Day international. In doing so, we introduce LittlePod Japan – for International Real Vanilla Day will have its official launch in Tokyo – and we celebrate LittlePodders all over the world. In this special blog for IRVD, it’s a delight to share messages from our Voices of Vanilla. Please join the conversation, have your say, and help us to spread the word.

Please read on to find out how to get involved this weekend…

You can be the Voice of Vanilla

The language of vanilla is universal, for this delicious, complex and delicate spice is one that connects us all – no matter our native tongue or our place on the planet. From the farmers and the communities who protect and nurture the fragile ecosystems on the Equatorial Belt, to the professional chefs, home cooks and bakers who use REAL vanilla in their creations all over the world, we are united in a common message that speaks to us all. That message? That the shopping choices we make have a global impact that must never be underestimated. That the people who live in the Equatorial regions and look after the rainforest environments are relying on us to always demand REAL vanilla. That LittlePod’s Campaign for Real Vanilla, which this year turned 10, has never been more needed.

This weekend – on October 17th, International Real Vanilla Day – we ask YOU to join our Voices of Vanilla, to spread the word and to use social media to help us send our message far and wide. Please post on Instagram (and on Facebook and Twitter too), share the hashtags #InternationalRealVanillaDay, #InternationalRealVanillaDay2020, #IRVD, #IRVD2020, #LittlePod and #CampaignForRealVanilla and help us to make ourselves heard. Be creative: bake a cake; tell the world what vanilla means to you; explain the importance of using REAL vanilla; the choice is yours.

The most important thing? Get involved, make yourself heard and lend vanilla your voice. For the farmers, for the future and for all that we stand for, be it in East Devon, Tokyo, or some other place on the planet, where the same messages matter and the language of vanilla is universal, no matter our native tongue.

These are our Voices of Vanilla; what will YOU say on the 17th?

YUMI is the Voice of Japan

Janet first met Yumi during a successful trip to Tokyo in March. Since then, we have established LittlePod Japan together. It is an honour to be working with Yumi, our distributor in Tokyo, with International Real Vanilla Day due to have its official launch in Japan this weekend].

Yumi: LittlePod has arrived in Japan at last! It is an honour to celebrate LittlePod’s 10th anniversary, to launch this project in Japan and to mark such an important point in the company’s history. Let’s all join together on October 17th to support and to celebrate International Real Vanilla Day, and to create more responsible societies for the next generation, all around the world!

天然バニラにこだわった製品を世界中に発信するリトルポッド。英国本社創業から10年目の節目に日本でリトルポッド製品を発売することが でき大変光栄です。是非、世界が一つになって食の安全、次世代につながる社会の実現をめざして10月17日のインターナショナルバニラデーを応援していきましょう！

BEN is the Voice of Australia

We first met Ben in London in 2013 and were delighted when he led our expansion into Australia. Ben is a long-time LittlePodder, who continues to spread the word Down Under, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his continuing contribution to our Campaign for Real Vanilla. 

Ben: I’m so excited to see National Real Vanilla Day become international and I send congratulations to Janet and the team for tirelessly raising awareness of the importance of real vanilla. LittlePod’s message resonates extraordinarily well with Australians (and Australians adore LittlePod) and we look forward to participating in LittlePod’s continuing story. Exceptional authentic ingredients, delivered with a sustainable, ethical and conscientious mission, it has been a real privilege and joy. Congratulations on 10 fabulous years of LittlePod and your expansion into Japan – amazing milestones! 

IRINE is the Voice of Tanzania

Irine is the daughter of vanilla farmers who we met during a trip to Tanzania last autumn. Irine’s parents have recently been crowned champion vanilla farmers in their region, news that delights us all here. Studying to be an accountant, Irine hopes to spend time at LittlePod HQ one day. 

Irine: I’m proud to be LittlePod’s Voice of Tanzania this International Real Vanilla Day and I send congratulations to the LittlePod team, who have been telling people about the importance of real vanilla for 10 years now. This is a huge achievement and I have no doubt that the LittlePod success story will continue for many more years to come. The launch of LittlePod Japan is great news and is something for us all to celebrate. I’m delighted to welcome our new companions from Japan and thank them for putting their faith in LittlePod and real vanilla – a wonderful natural ingredient, cultivated without industrial chemicals, that helps preserve the environment and protect our planet. Being the daughter of a vanilla farmer here in Tanzania, I understand the importance of International Real Vanilla Day, for the environment and for us all. I’d like more people to gain an awareness of real vanilla and its significance, so that more farmers are encouraged to plant vanilla vines. International Real Vanilla Day is a very special day. Congratulations LittlePod!

Mimi ni  Irine Hendry – binti wa mkulima wa vanilla kutoka Tanzania – najivunia kuwa Sauti ya Afrika kwa kampuni ya LittlePod siku hii ya Kimataifa ya Vanilla. Ninatuma pongezi kwa timu ya kampuni ya LittlePod, ambayo imekuwa ikielimisha watu juu ya umuhimu wa vanilla halisi kwa miaka 10 sasa. Haya ni mafanikio makubwa sana na sina shaka kwamba hadithi hii ya mafanikio kwa kampuni ya LittlePod itaendelea kwa miaka mingi ijayo. Uzinduzi wa kampuni ya LittlePod Japan ni habari njema na ni jambo la sisi sote kusherekea. Ninafurahi kuwakaribisha wenzetu wapya kutoka Japan na kuwashukuru kwa kuweka imani yao kwa kampuni ya LittlePod na vanilla halisi – kiungo kizuri cha asili, kinacholimwa bila kemikali za viwandani, ambacho husaidia kuhifadhi mazingira na kulinda sayari yetu. Kama binti wa mkulima wa vanilla hapa Tanzania, ninaelewa umuhimu wa Siku ya Kimataifa ya Vanilla halisi, kwa mazingira na kwetu sote. Ningependa watu zaidi wapate ufahamu wa vanilla halisi na umuhimu wake, ili wakulima wengi zaidi wahimizwe kupanda vanilla. Siku ya Kimataifa ya Vanilla halisi ni siku maalum sana. Hongera sana kampuni ya LittlePod!

MADE is the Voice of Indonesia

Made is LittlePod’s vanilla farmer and we are delighted to witness the fruits of his labours, with the latest crop from our community orchard due to arrive in East Devon soon. Olly and Tom are looking forward to visiting Made in Indonesia in 2021 to see the orchard for themselves.

Made: Being one of Littlepod’s partners in promoting real vanilla and the conservation of nature, I would like to congratulate LittlePod on the launch of International Real Vanilla Day this October. From Indonesia, we send best wishes for a successful event, which, we hope, will help real vanilla gain greater popularity to help biodiversity restoration and conservation.

Kami dari PT Bumi Lestari Coservana Indonesia sebagai salah satu partner dalam mempromosikan rasa alami vanila dan konservasi alam, mengucapkan Selamat kepada LittlePod atas terlaksananya Hari Vanilla Alami Internasional. Semoga sukses dan vanilla alami semakin diminati dan bisa membantu restorasi dan konservasi biodiversitas.

PATRICIA is the Voice of the United States

Patricia is an expert on sustainability, also known as the Vanilla Queen. Patricia joined us in London to celebrate our first anniversary in 2011. Her statement, that ‘we’re on a precipice and could lose pure vanilla within a generation if we don’t act now’, continues to inspire our work to this day.

Patricia: As the Vanilla Queen, I warmly welcome all readers and beautiful Japan into the intoxicating and alluring realm of pure vanilla. We are thrilled that you are joining us to celebrate LittlePod’s tenth anniversary and to promote the remarkable properties of the world’s favourite flavour and fragrance at home and around the world.

VIK is the Voice of Madagascar

The Medical Director for Blue Ventures, a charitable organisation doing invaluable work in Madagascar, Vik is a longstanding friend of LittlePod. LittlePod is proud to donate 10% of all online sales to support community projects in Madagascar, via Blue Ventures.

Vik: Congratulations to LittlePod on your 10th anniversary. We applaud your excellent work with vanilla farmers in Madagascar and beyond, and are grateful for ten years of support as we work with coastal communities to support the recovery of Madagascar’s marine ecosystems. We welcome LittlePod’s new friends in Japan, and invite you to join us as we work towards our goal of environmental sustainability.

Miarahaba an’i LittlePod amin’izao faha-10 taonanao izao. Ankasitrahanay ny asa tsara nataonareo tamin’ireo tantsaha miasa lavanila eto Madagasikara sy ny  toeran-kafa, ary feno fankasitrahana noho ny fanohanana tao anatin’ny folo taona noho izahay miara-miasa amin’ireo vondron’olona amoron-tsiraka  ka manampy amin’ny famerenana ny tontolo iainana an-dranomasina eto Madagasikara. Miarahaba ireo namana vaovao LittlePod any Japon izahay, ary manasa anao hiaraka aminay mba hiara-hiasa hanatratra ny tanjonay  amin’ny fitantanana  ny tontolo iainana  lovain-jafy.

OLLY is the Voice of LittlePod

Olly is on a mission to drive our Campaign for Real Vanilla forward and increase the company’s global reach. On behalf of the LittlePod team here in the UK, he will raise a toast to LittlePodders all over the world this weekend.

Olly: International Real Vanilla Day is a special occasion indeed and the source of great excitement here at LittlePod HQ. This offers us all an opportunity to stop and take a little time to thank the farmers and communities who work so hard to cultivate this wonderful crop and look after the fragile ecosystems on the Equatorial Belt that affect us all, no matter where in the world we might be. Here in East Devon, we are honoured to be working with Yumi, our distributor in Tokyo, and we look forward to involving LittlePodders from all over the world on the 17^th as we come together as a community to celebrate International Real Vanilla Day for the first time. From our HQ in the UK, we thank everyone who continues to support LittlePod and our Campaign for Real Vanilla, and no matter where in the world you might be, we wish you a happy International Real Vanilla Day.

+++ STOP PRESS +++

Breaking news – and perfect for an international occasion: it thrills us to sign off with the announcement that Janet – LittlePod’s founder and Executive Chair – has received an MBE in The Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours List. Janet, who received the British Empire Medal in 2012 for services to employment and culture in East Devon [pictured], is delighted to receive the honour, given in recognition of her services to sustainability, exports and international trade, which, with LittlePod Japan up and running and the 17th approaching, couldn’t be more timely. From all at LittlePod, we send congratulations on a much-deserved honour. Well done Janet, we couldn’t be more proud.