In the heart of the Swiss Alps, where pristine air meets rolling meadows, a unique kind of magic happens. Here, in a tiny hamlet tucked away in the canton of St. Gallen, herbs grow as nature intended—wild, pure, and bursting with vitality. This is the home of Toggenburger Kräuterfrauen, one of our trusted Swiss herb suppliers. A small but mighty group of women whose hands bring the land’s richness to life.
For us at LOONAWELL, the visit wasn’t just a routine supplier check. It was a journey into the roots of our ingredients, uncovering the passion, dedication, and craftsmanship that transform simple herbs into the essence of our dog wellness products. Partnering with Swiss herb suppliers like Toggenburger Kräuterfrauen reminds us of the importance of partnerships that go beyond transactions.
A few weeks ago, I (Dr. Maria de Bettencourt, CEO of LOONAWELL) along with Lucie Goguelin, our Manufacturing Lead, and Dr. Cristina Luppo, our Food Development Lead, made the journey to 9642 Ebnat-Kappel. We were warmly welcomed by Nathalie Graf and Aliena Gnehm, the incredible duo who currently manages the farm. What awaited us was a day filled with discovery, admiration, and gratitude for the labor and dedication that go into cultivating the herbs that find their way into every tin of our Complete Food and gourmet treats.
As we arrived, the morning mist was still rising off the slopes, and sunlight filtered softly through the trees. Nathalie greeted us with a smile that spoke volumes—a mixture of pride and joy in sharing her world with us. We began our visit with a tour of the farm, its borders demarcated not by fences, but by the wildflowers and diverse herbs that thrive here.
Beyond Transactions: Connecting with Passion
It’s easy to see suppliers as just cogs in a bigger machine. But that’s not how we view things at LOONAWELL. Each herb, each grain, and each ingredient in our products represents a story—one that begins long before it reaches our factory. Watching Aliena and Nathalie at work, deepened our connection with them as Swiss herb suppliers who share our passion for organic excellence and sustainability.
The Toggenburger Kräuterfrauen are deeply rooted in tradition yet driven by a modern entrepreneurial spirit. Their days begin early, and herbs are nurtured and almost all harvested by hand, reflecting a meticulousness that industrial operations often lose sight of. Each calendula blossom, each mint leaf is picked with care and attention, ensuring that what ends up in our products isn’t just organic—it’s exceptional.
Hands in the Soil, Hearts in the Work
After the initial tour, it was time to roll up our sleeves. We were invited to join the Kräuterfrauen in their daily routine: picking, sorting, and drying herbs. There’s something humbling about crouching in the fields, feeling the moistness of the soil, appreciating the healthy green stems of the plants, watching the myriad of colors of the bugs that live around, listening to how Aliena gently picks each stalk, testing for ripeness with an experienced eye.
Be gentle but precise,” she explained as she showed us how to pick calendula at just the right angle, “to ensure that the flower will grow healthy again next season.” It was in these quiet moments—when time seemed to slow, and we were just a group of women with our hands in the soil—that we realized how much passion goes into what they do.
It’s easy to talk about quality. But standing there, fingers stained green from sorting freshly picked mint, we understood the true meaning of the word. We could see, smell, and touch what quality really means—an intensity of flavor and aroma that speaks of a life nurtured, not just grown.
The Art of Drying and Preserving Herbs
After harvesting, the herbs are carefully transferred to the drying room—a place that feels almost sacred in its simplicity. There, rows upon rows of freshly picked herbs are laid out on wooden frames to dry slowly. No artificial processes are used. The Kräuterfrauen trust time, airflow, and a touch of mountain magic to preserve the essence of each herb.
Nathalie, who oversees this delicate stage, guided us through the process. “Every herb has its own rhythm,” she said, lifting a sprig of rosemary to inspect its texture. “The key is patience. Rushing this step would destroy everything we worked so hard to cultivate.” As she spoke, her hands moved expertly, shifting a layer of herbs here, opening a window there to let in just the right amount of air. It’s a process that demands both skill and intuition—an alchemy of nature and knowledge.
A Taste of Their World
At lunch time, we sat down for lunch and a small tasting. The herbs they grow are used not just for culinary purposes, but also in teas, wellness products, and—of course—our own dog food. Sipping a cup of freshly brewed peppermint tea while sampling dried sage leaves, we marveled at the depth of flavor. Each sip, each bite told the story of its origins, from seed to soil, from sunlight to careful preservation.
It made us reflect on what we do at LOONAWELL. Our products are much more than nutrition for dogs—they are a celebration of the people who work tirelessly to grow the finest ingredients. People like Aliena and Nathalie, who pour their souls into every step of the process.
A Partnership Rooted in Respect
Our relationship with Toggenburger Kräuterfrauen, our Swiss herb supplier, is more than just a supply chain agreement. It’s a shared commitment to sustainability, quality, and respect for the land. It’s about creating something together that goes beyond commerce and speaks to the heart of what LOONAWELL stands for.
Each can of our Complete Food, each treat, each pâté carries within it a bit of the Swiss mountains, the scent of freshly cut herbs, and the spirit of the women who grew them. When you open one of our products, you’re not just feeding your dog—you’re sharing this story, connecting to the land, and supporting small, passionate businesses like Toggenburger Kräuterfrauen.
So next time you pop open a tin, think of Aliena and Nathalie, of the hours spent tending to the soil, the days spent picking and drying herbs by hand. This isn’t just food—it’s the culmination of passion, tradition, and the finest quality ingredients we can find.
At LOONAWELL, we don’t just sell dog food. We offer a piece of the Swiss countryside, a taste of what it means to honor nature, and a glimpse into the lives of those who make it all possible. And it’s partnerships like this one that make our journey as fulfilling as the products we create.
