EMPOWER PROSPERING FARMERS
Creating value throughflavour quality
Cocoa is the primary source of income in many of the communities we work with. By educating farmers on flavor preservation through the use of better planting material as well as soil health, crop diversification, and good agricultural practices, they are able to create a more valuable product. And by recognizing the value of flavor, farmers can access premium markets and build long-term relationships that improve the financial prosperity of their farms.
INSPIRE THRIVINGCOMMUNITIES
Uplifting communities through innovation & education
Poverty is a key contributor to many of the social challenges experienced throughout the cocoa supply chain. By partnering with local organizations to implement programs focused on women’s empowerment, income diversification, child protection, education, health, and nutrition, we are able to have a positive impact on the farming communities we source our ingredients from.
ENCOURAGE ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION
Helping farmers protect their farms & the planet
Providing cocoa farmers with resilience to climate change is key to the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector. By promoting climate-smart agricultural practices like crop diversification, agroforestry, composting, and the conservation of forests for shade and soil health, we help farmers to create the conditions needed to grow high-quality cocoa, ultimately improving farmers’ incomes and the long-term sustainability of their farms.
Cultivate Better Cocoa™
Supporting Farmers Growing Communities
COCOA FARM MANAGEMENTFarm Management improvement activities through Farmer Field Schools, Farmers Coaching, and Farmer Evening Courses.
CHILD LABOR MONITORING & REMEDIATION SYSTEMSChild protection committees of trained volunteers operate at the community level to identify at-risk children and remediate cases of child labor.
VEGETABLE GREENHOUSESWe’ve partnered with FarmStrong Foundation to support women-run vegetable greenhouses that help generate income during the cocoa off-season.
YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMSInter-community soccer tournaments promote confidence, teamwork, good health, and community spirit.
SHADE TREE NURSERIESWomen-run, community shade tree nurseries provide additional household revenue and support climate change resilience.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIPTraining on agroforestry systems, reforestation, forest preservation, and protecting local water sources.
CHILD LABOR MONITORING & REMEDIATION SYSTEMS. Child protection committees of trained volunteers operate at the community level to identify at-risk children and remediate cases of child labor.
LIVING INCOME PILOT.Working with the Sustainable Food Lab to establish secondary income streams that are developed, organized, and managed by women within the community. By planting yams, baking bread, or making soaps these women gain autonomy and bring in important income during the cocoa off-season that can go towards education.
FINE FLAVOR PROJECT.Grafting high-value cocoa varieties whose unique flavor profiles fetch the highest premiums in Ghana.
AGROFORESTRY AND FARM DIVERSIFICATION.Farmers are planting local timber species for shade and long-term income as well as papaya, cassava, and plantains that provide shade and climate resilience for young cocoa trees while diversifying and increasing family incomes.
FARM RENOVATIONS. Renovating cocoa farms with grafted, heirloom genetics and innovative, community-produced, natural agri-inputs.
COMMUNITY GARDEN.Working with schools to plan vegetable gardens to provide nutritional and agricultural training for children plus income opportunities for women.
INCOME GENERATION ACTIVITES.Creating alternative revenue streams, like honey production, to supplement income during the cocoa off-season.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.Innovative on-farm training for the community-based production of micro-nutrients, natural insecticides and compost help build soil health and protect local water sources.