At Friars of Keswick, our passion for creating exquisite chocolates is matched only by our commitment to ethical practices. In an industry as complex as chocolate, where supply chains can be long and opaque, ensuring that our products are sourced responsibly is not just a goal, but a fundamental principle. We strive constantly to use ethically sourced chocolate. Sustainable chocolate is a must for us on our chocolate producing journey. We understand that consumers today are increasingly conscious of the impact their purchases have, and rightly so. That's why we're transparent about how we work to ensure that every Friars chocolate you enjoy contributes to a better, more ‘sustainable chocolate’ world.
The Challenges of the Cocoa Industry
The journey of cocoa, from bean to bar, begins with farmers, predominantly smallholders in West Africa, Latin America, and Asia. These farmers often face significant challenges, including poverty, lack of access to resources and training, climate change impacts, and the pervasive issue of child labour. For chocolate to truly be a treat, it must be produced in a way that respects both people and the planet.
As a Chocolatier rooted in the heart of the Lake District, we might seem far removed from the cocoa farms, but we recognise our interconnectedness. Our ethical responsibility extends beyond our local community to the global communities that cultivate the very foundation of our craft.
Our Commitment to Responsible Sourcing: The Cocoa Horizons Scheme
At Friars, our commitment to ethically sourced chocolate is concretely demonstrated through our partnership with the Cocoa Horizons scheme. We are proud our ethically sourced chocolate in the UK is obtained through this impactful program, which is dedicated to improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities.
The Cocoa Horizons Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation established by Barry Callebaut, one of the world's leading chocolate and cocoa manufacturers. Their mission aligns perfectly with our values: to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities through the promotion of sustainable, entrepreneurial farming, improved productivity, and community development, which importantly, protect nature and children. Cocoa Horizons are an important source for our sustainable chocolate.
How Cocoa Horizons Makes a Difference:
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Farmer Prosperity: Cocoa Horizons focuses on supporting farmers to professionalise their operations. This includes providing access to training, tools, inputs (like improved seedlings), and even financial services. By empowering farmers to run their farms more efficiently and effectively, Cocoa Horizons helps them increase their yields and, critically, their income. This move towards self-sustaining farming communities is key to breaking cycles of poverty.
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Community Development: Beyond individual farms, Cocoa Horizons invests in broader community initiatives. This can involve supporting access to education, promoting women's empowerment through income-generating activities, and strengthening community structures. A significant focus is also placed on preventing child labour, working to ensure children are in school and not engaged in hazardous work.
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Environmental Protection: Sustainable cocoa production and subsequently sustainable chocolate, is inherently linked to environmental stewardship. Cocoa Horizons actively promotes practices that protect nature, including agroforestry (planting cocoa alongside other trees to create more resilient ecosystems), reducing deforestation, and promoting biodiversity. Traceability to farm boundaries is also crucial to ensure cocoa is not sourced from protected areas.
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Transparency and Verification: The Cocoa Horizons Foundation is audited annually by a global audit firm, and the premiums paid by companies like Friars are independently verified to ensure fair allocation and effectiveness. This level of transparency gives us, and by extension, our customers, confidence that our contributions are making a tangible difference on the ground.
By choosing ethically sourced chocolate through Cocoa Horizons, we are directly contributing to a robust and verified system that addresses some of the most pressing challenges in the cocoa supply chain. It means that when you enjoy a Friars chocolate, you're not just indulging in a delicious treat; you're supporting a positive impact on cocoa farming communities and the environment.
Beyond Cocoa Horizons: Our Broader Ethical Stance
While the Cocoa Horizons scheme forms the backbone of our cocoa sourcing ethics, our commitment to sustainability and responsible practices extends throughout our operations here in Keswick.
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Packaging: We are continuously striving to minimise our environmental footprint. Our product cartons are made from 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified cardboard, ensuring they come from responsibly managed forests. Furthermore, our packaging is designed to be recyclable – from the box itself to the tray inside.
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Energy Consumption: We consciously choose to use renewable electricity and LED lighting across all our sites. While this may come at a higher cost, we believe it's a vital investment in reducing our carbon footprint and supporting a greener future.
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Waste Reduction: We are mindful of waste at every stage of our production and strive for efficiency, ensuring that precious resources are not squandered.
At Friars, we believe that luxury should never come at the cost of ethics. Our delicious chocolates are a testament to the idea that quality, innovation, and responsibility can go hand in hand. We are proud of our ongoing efforts to ensure that ethically sourced chocolate is supporting the farmers and communities who make our passion possible. Sustainable chocolate is great chocolate, and more importantly a Friars priority. When you choose Friars, you're choosing a chocolate that not only tastes good but does good.
