As the first roaster of Fair Trade Certified cocoa beans, as well as the only roaster of organic cocoa beans in the United States, Theo Chocolate is on a mission to lead the chocolate industry with the excellence and integrity of our products, while raising standards for both cocoa farmers and consumers -- all while healing the planet. As part of our commitment, we've partnered with the Jane Goodall Institute to introduce Cocoa Practices -- an environmental stewardship program that rewards cocoa producers and suppliers who demonstrate efforts to protect and conserve water and soil integrity, biological diversity and the overall ecosystem.

Founded by renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global nonprofit focused on creating healthy ecosystems and nurturing new generations of committed, active citizens all over the globe.

Why do we need Cocoa Practices?
Cocoa farming has the potential to impact rural areas in some of the earth's most biologically diverse regions. If farmers choose to employ unsustainable methods, the entire ecosystem suffers. Unsustainable cocoa production processes can lead to environmental degradation, which endangers not only local wildlife, but farming communities as well.

In an ideal situation, cocoa production strives to manage resources in the most sustainable way. Exemplary production methods could actually lead to the restoration of native biodiversity and natural resources. Cocoa Practices is a detailed scoring system with built-in incentives for improvement, providing straightforward ways for local farmers to become the foundation of conservation efforts in agricultural regions. Key areas of stewardship include efforts to maintain the integrity of the soil, water and overall biodiversity of a region.

Led by our founder, Joe Whinney, the Cocoa Practices initiative is bringing together growers, producers and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from the world's diverse cocoa-producing regions. We have started down the path to initiate quality-improvement programs with cocoa farmers in Tanzania, the African country where Dr. Goodall began her groundbreaking chimpanzee research in the 1960s. If these programs are successful, our goal is to partner with the local farmers to enable them to develop their livelihoods in more sustainable ways through the implementation of Cocoa Practices. Theo Chocolate and the Jane Goodall Institute are working together to ensure the farmers' success. The Cocoa Practices program is not limited to growers who supply chocolate to Theo, but is available to any cocoa farmer. Our ultimate goal is to incorporate Cocoa Practices into farming and production processes around the globe.

As for our own chocolate, we're packaging two special bars with Jane Goodall's "Good for All" seal, signifying that they promote better pay for farmers and help protect the environment and the planet's wildlife. These are the first chocolates, and only the second product line, to ever carry the "Good for All" seal. Proceeds from the sale of each bar will benefit JGI and our Cocoa Practices program. The chocolate is delicious, so everyone benefits, and the virtuous cycle benefiting people, planet and profit (equally) can be sustained.