Endangered Species Chocolate

Since there has been so much talk about chocolate here lately, I’d like to mention the practices of Endangered Species Chocolate. Though their chocolate bars aren’t my favorites*, I’ve been reading more about the work they do with different non-profits to protect, well, endangered species. I expected as much because of the company’s name, but the one thing I wasn’t prepared for is what the company has done in the country where their cacao is sourced, Nigeria.

Nigeria is the most heavily populated country in Africa, with its population somewhere between 130 and 140 million, depending on which estimate you choose. And that population is rapidly growing; according to Wikipedia, “…Nigeria has been undergoing explosive population growth and one of the highest growth and fertility rates in the world. By [the United Nation's] projections, Nigeria will be one of the countries in the world that will account for most of the world’s total population increase by 2050.” Take into account the environmental degradation and shortages of potable water experienced by just under half of the population, and it becomes apparent that the forecasted population boom in the country will put further stress on its environment and its people.

In February of 2006, four employees from Endangered Species Chocolate traveled to Nigeria. The team took extensive photo and video documentation of their cacao’s journey from its African producers to the chocolate makers in Europe. The company says this about their trip:

“Each step of the way, ESC representatives were able to confirm firsthand that the chocolate used in Endangered Species Chocolate products is ethically traded. The crops are harvested by adult workers who are paid a fair wage, and the money spent by ESC for the crop is used by the owner/farmer and benefits the village near the farm.”

In addition to the footage and photos the team brought back to the US, perhaps more important are the two large UNICEF water pumps and school supplies they brought with them to Nigeria. Below are photos of the villages where their cacao producers live.

Of course, to assume that a couple of water pumps and some school supplies will fix all of Nigeria’s problems is too great a leap in logic. And, in agreement with this article by Uzodinma Iweala (thanks, BoingBoing!), I haven’t shown you any efforts being taken by groups within Africa or by the Nigerian government itself. However, my objective in today’s post is to show you that Endangered Species Chocolate cares about its cacao producers. The steps the company has taken, and undoubtedly will continue to take, have made a difference in the lives of the Nigerians who grow their cacao. If that’s not truly fair trade, then I’m not sure what is.

*I mentioned above that Endangered Species Chocolate bars aren’t my favorite on the market; I’d also like to point out that this is a matter of opinion. The company makes an array of bars from their all-natural shade-grown cacao. I do like the “grizzly bear” bar, which is dark chocolate with 70% cocoa content with raspberries. It’s quite good. The company also has a line of premium organic bars, though I haven’t tried any of these. I encourage you to try a few products from Endangered Species Chocolate and see if any of them appeal to your taste buds. Chocolate is personal, so try several kinds from several brands and have fun deciding which are your favorites.