What do you know about the farmers who produce the cacao for your chocolate?
The first question in our blog series of ‘questions for chocolatemakers’ was by Paul’s mother, a fan of milkchocolate interested in the ethical side of chocolate and cacao. Do you also have a question for the chocolate makers? Contact us!
This blog is also available in dutch.
We have send this question to the makers of the chocolates we sell. And received a lot of answers.
The answer of Akesson’s
“Regarding your question, I should specify that we do not collect cocoa. I own the land and I am the farmer. On my Estates, I employ about 700 people and provide for their life. Beside their salaries, they get housing and other social advantages. We built schools. We distribute 300ha so they can grow their own rive and be self sufficient with foods. We produce our own electricity with solar panels and high technology we bought from GAIA, Germany; more than half of the electricity installation we have set up is not for us but for the villages and the people. We are certified Fair for Life by IMO.”
Answer by Bertil Akesson of Akesson’s. If you want to read more about his chocolate (and peppers) and farms you can do so on his website.
We’ve send this question to more chocolate makers, you can also read their answers.