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The VIPs in the cocoa chain who can make change happen (psst.. you’re on the list!) 

It’s no news that Tony’s is committed to ending exploitation in cocoa. But there’s an important nuance you might have missed.. We’re not just talking about the cocoa in our chocolate, but in all chocolate worldwide. For that to happen, all of us need to play our part – from chocolate companies to Choco Fans, governments to retailers, and cocoa farmers, too. Here’s how.. 

What’s not to love about chocolate? Well, 1.56 million children and at least 30,000 victims of forced labor working illegally on cocoa plantations. But chocolate can also be a powerful force for change, to make exploitation a shame of the past. One of Tony’s brand pillars is to inspire to act and we’ve put together this list to show how each of the 5 key players in the cocoa supply chain can do their bit to make the long-term difference. 

Chocolate companies, especially the biggest players in the industry (we call ’em Big Choco), can be part of the sweet solution by sourcing cocoa responsibly and sustainably and being accountable for their supply chain.

In 2022/23, Tony’s sourced 10,826mt of traceable beans, paid 17,740 farmers the Living Income Reference Price to enable them to earn a living income from the cocoa they sell and continued to build long-term relationships with farmers and partner co-ops. We’re working our beans off to end exploitation in cocoa, but we can’t change the industry alone. We need all chocolate companies to join our fight. Especially Big Choco, because with their big cocoa volumes, they have the most power to change the rules of the game. 

That’s why we started Tony’s Open Chain: our collaborative initiative that helps other companies efficiently access a cocoa supply chain that sources according to Tony’s 5 Sourcing Principles, just like we do. And our team of Mission Allies – those who source cocoa via Tony’s Open Chain – is getting bigger and bigger, babyyy! Including friends like Ben & Jerry’s, Jokolade and Huel, to name a few..

Governments can be part of the sweet solution by passing laws that hold companies accountable for what happens in their supply chains to prevent environmental violations and protect human rights.

For 20 years, the chocolate industry has been promising to end child labor. But the bitter truth is that these problems still exist. From signed protocols like Harkin-Engel to voluntary schemes, it’s simply not working because it’s not mandatory. Governments need to step in and implement legislation for human rights due diligence: holding companies accountable by law for child labor, forced labor and deforestation in their supply chains. 

Governments in cocoa-producing countries also need to step up their game around minimum wages for cocoa workers and enforcing existing laws against forced and child labor. They can also facilitate the implementation and improvement of rights-based monitoring and remediation systems.

Retailers can be part of the sweet solution by choosing who they give shelf space to and making fairly sourced private-label chocolate.

We like to think we have choices – and we do! – but so often these choices are limited to what’s put directly in front of us. Retailers have a huge influence on consumer choices and can make a big difference by deciding which brands to stock and where they are displayed on shelves. Not to mention how they source beans for their own-brand chocolate. 

We’re super proud to call Dutch supermarket giant Albert Heijn our Mission Ally, with their entire Delicata range sourced responsibly and sustainably via our Tony’s Open Chain initiative. In 2023, Jumbo also joined the party, committing to sourcing cocoa via Tony’s Open Chain for their private-label chocolate. This means all the major Dutch grocery groups have now joined our fight! In 2020/21, German discount retailer ALDI also joined Tony’s Open Chain and developed a chocolate bar range that sources beans using Tony’s 5 Sourcing Principles to take direct responsibility for their supply chain. Same as us, as well as using 100% traceable cocoa beans, all Mission Allies pay a premium directly to farmers, enabling them to earn a living income from the cocoa they sell.

Cocoa farmers can be part of the sweet solution by implementing responsible and sustainable practices in their businesses.

2.5 million cocoa farmers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire produce more than 60% of the world’s cocoa. Yet they have 0 say over the price of cocoa. A price kept so low, they have little choice but resort to getting their children to perform dangerous work on the farm and even using unpaid labor to survive. 

Key to tackling this is talking to farmers about children’s and human rights. Skilling up on diversification and productivity also helps improve cocoa yields and income, while driving down deforestation. 

Choco Fans can be part of the sweet solution by making conscious choices, spreading the message and putting pressure on the industry + their government 

Once you know the bitter truth that’s still hiding in most of the world’s chocolate, you can’t un-know. Which makes it sooo important to get the message out there. And the more people know, the more people will choose chocolate that’s ending exploitation in cocoa and demand accountability from chocolate makers. Which will influence market development. The power to change the chocolate industry is in your hands! 

Child labor and forced labor are chocolate’s bitter truth. We’re all part of the problem, but when we work together, we can all be part of the sweet solution.

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