Transparency and credibility are rightly demanded and expected by customers today. They want to know where their food comes from and the story behind it. Many find it important that the procurement and processing of raw materials is sustainable, fair and in accordance with ethical standards.*
The issue of sustainability will continue to gain in importance in 2020. Manufacturers in particular are taking social responsibility seriously and are increasingly orienting themselves towards sustainable quality. Every second company feels that certification or proof of sustainability is important. It is striking that the larger the company, the more important the certifications. Above all, medium-sized companies with 25 employees or more play a pioneering role.
Schokologo uses chocolate from Barry Callebaut in the production of its custom-made products.
When you buy Callebaut® Finest Belgian Chocolate, you have a sustainability guarantee. You use chocolate that directly supports cocoa farmers and promotes sustainable cocoa farming.*
Our chocolate supports cocoa farmers
In November 2016 the company presented its sustainability strategy 'Forever Chocolate'. It aims to transform sustainably produced chocolate from a niche product to the norm in less than ten years. At the same time, we are investing in the success of the cocoa farmers. Because with every chocolate product we process, part of it is reinvested in the farmers and their communities. Through our collaboration with the Cocoa Horizons Foundation, which works directly with farmers' groups, we jointly support training programs for farmers and empower young farmers so that they can prove themselves in their craft.
Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of Barry Callebaut, explains: "So far, we source only 23% of the cocoa beans for our products from sustainable cultivation. We want to change this radically. By 2025, all our chocolates and raw materials should be produced 100% sustainably".
To secure the future of chocolate, Barry Callebaut wants to achieve four goals:
- Eliminating child labor from its own supply chain
- Liberation of more than 500,000 cocoa farmers from poverty
- Positive balance in terms of CO2 emissions and deforestation
- 100% sustainably produced ingredients in all products of the group.
Antoine de Saint-Affrique: "We cannot achieve these goals alone. Governments need to create the right political framework and enforce laws, NGOs need to raise awareness of sustainability and consumers need to buy sustainable products". Forever Chocolate' is an invitation to all stakeholders to join us in finding structural solutions to the problems of producing sustainable chocolate and cocoa products.**
By increasing the use of sustainable chocolate in our operations, Schokologo aims to contribute to improving living and working conditions and the ecosystem in the countries where it is grown.
* www.barry-callebaut.com
** Media release - Barry Callebaut 11/28/2016
