Saving Fine Chocolate: Equity, Productivity and Quality in Cocoa Co-ops

The future of fine chocolate depends on strengthening cocoa cooperatives in Latin America where the bulk of Fair Trade, organic & unique flavor profiles originate. These small farmer cocoa co-ops need to implement member investment plans (known as member equity), develop model farms & training for rapid productivity gains & adopt innovative quality methodologies to meet this rapidly growing consumer demand. The book explains what a co-op is and is not and its role in economic and social development. Development organizations, chocolate industry and Fair Trade advocates should better understand co-ops as group-based businesses that can lift small cocoa farmers out of poverty. Successful programs are presented on member equity, innovative farmer training & post-harvest processing, and bottom-up quality methodologies with new tools and approaches that cocoa co-ops can adopt. Anyone who loves dark fine chocolates should read this book.