Lidl US and Fairtrade America have partnered to launch the first private label chocolate bar in the U.S. that contributes a living income to cocoa farmers, according to the companies. The Way To Go! Chocolate bar uses 100 percent traceable and sustainable Fairtrade cocoa sourced from the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative in Ghana. The chocolate bar guarantees that farmers at the cooperative receive at least the Fairtrade Minimum Price for cocoa and the Fairtrade Premium, an extra sum of money for farmers to invest in their farms and communities.
Additionally, Lidl has partnered with Fairtrade to pay a second premium for every metric ton of cocoa purchased for the Way To Go! bars. Lidl’s premium helps farmers increase income, diversify into new categories like honey, rice or soap, and develop new farming techniques to increase yields and income over the long term.
“Lidl is committed to investing in products and business models that deliver greater returns to people working in the supply chain, and this is especially important in the cocoa industry,” said Stefan Schwarz, executive vice president of purchasing at Lidl US, in a statement. “By designing and launching the first private label chocolate bar with the objective of directly supporting workers, small-scale farmers and local communities, we are taking another important step in this direction. We are grateful for the support of our partners at Fairtrade, who help make innovative programs like Way To Go! possible.”
Related: Fairtrade America Launches Contest; Lidl to Open 50 More Stores.
Photo credit: Lidl
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