Cocoa trees naturally promote environmental sustainability. However, without international support, farmers necessarily resort to less sustainable methods and labor exploitation. In the second segment of chocolate production, Jorden and Kimberly consider sustainability strategies and innovations for producers and, especially, for the manufacturers who have far greater means to effect change.
Key Topics Jorden and Kimberly discuss include:
Why fair-trade cacao cooperatives are better for the environment and community
How Ghana's Kuapa Kokoo 135,000-strong farmer’s cooperative inspires neighboring Cote d’Ivoire and Indonesia
How intercropping increases cacao yields, supports biodiversity, and feeds the locals
What MNCs can learn from small chocolate-makers about renewable energies
Why 75% of a cacao pod is tossed, when it can be used, and what that would mean for farmers’ income
Why producers get the blame when manufacturers are the less sustainable of the two
Recommended Resources
Innovations in Grenada and Amsterdam
Biomass energy in Cote d’Ivoire and Uganda
Processing stats and water usage
Cocoa growing and production alternatives, along with full sun cultivation developments
Upcycling pods to reduce waste and increase farmer
earnings
For more stats, see resource links for the first segment
Kimberly’s Substack newsletter post
Kimberly’s list of widely-available ethically-sourced chocolate producers she can vouch for and their availability
The Endangered Species Chocolate- her go-to daily dose and widely available: Kroger, Walmart, Vitacost Target, Whole Foods, iHerb
Blue Stripes- Whole Foods; unique in that they upcycle to use most of the cacao pod; they now also make cereal, which is quite good
Chocolove- Kroger, Walmart, Vitacost, Walgreens
Divine- Walmart, Whole Foods, Vitacost; produced by the Kuapa Kokoo Cooperative in Ghana, they have an amazing story worth checking out, as well as their chocolate bars (the darks are the favorites, but the 70% Dark Mint Crisp is excellent)
Justin’s and Unreal -for candy bar chocolates, both widely available
Tcho- Available in some natural foods and specialty stores,
but buy direct for a discount on these premium chocolate bars that worth the price (highly recommend Dark & Salty, and though not dark chocolate, Perfect Matcha is quite good)
For a wide variety of others, including Alter Eco (for a variety of fair trade products), Equal Exchange, and Theo, Slave Free Chocolate has a useful list
