Saving Fine Chocolate

Saving Fine Chocolate makes the case that cocoa cooperatives are critical to meeting increasing consumer preferences for Fair Trade, organic and unique favors from countries of origin in Latin America. Unfortunately, the Chocolate Industry and donors do not understand the underlying financial structure of cooperatives in which members must financially contribute equity through delivery of product that is placed in member accounts so that the co-op has capital to grow and provide services and better incomes to its members. Only financially strong cooperatives are able to support productivity programs, such as model farms and field training, and quality improvements such as flavor labs and tasting panels to achieve quality premiums. Plantations or investor-based alternatives are not possible because of land tenure and poor returns since cocoa is grown in remote and sometimes dangerous areas. This innovative approach to co-op equity, productivity and quality was led by Equal Exchange and TCHO Chocolates.