Endangered Species Chocolate Makes People’s Choice Top Ten List
Vote now to make an Indianapolis company Green Business of the Year

INDIANAPOLIS – Consumers nationwide have nominated Indianapolis-based Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC) for the 2006 Co-op America People’s Choice Award for Green Business of the Year. ESC is calling for support from fellow Hoosiers to put Indiana on the map for eco-friendliness. Vote before October 24 at www.coopamerica.org/greenbusiness/peopleschoice. The People’s Choice Award winner will be announced at Green Festival in San Francisco on November 10.  

The Co-op America People’s Choice Award is a celebration of the leaders of the green economy, and a challenge to corporate America to follow their path. Co-op America defines green businesses as “companies that work to help – not hurt – people, communities, and the planet,” a concept that is in line with ESC’s triad of species, habitat and humanity.
A proud Co-op America member, ESC is committed to helping fulfill their mission “to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.” ESC was founded in 1993 in effort to spread awareness and to make an impact on the growing number of plant and animal species disappearing from Earth. Since then the mission has grown to embrace a new definition of “endangered” - that all species, habitat and humanity are endangered on our planet, not just animals on a list.

ESC’s core value is Reverence for Life – a philosophy drawn from renowned humanitarian Albert Schweitzer – which encompasses the spirit and goals of ESC. Reverence for Life manifests itself in the triad: endangered species recovery, habitat conservation and compassion for fellow humans. ESC believes that all life is precious and deserves respect, kindness and care. Through premium chocolate products made from ethically traded, shade grown cocoa, the company seeks to spread environmental awareness and ignite compassion for all life on the planet. ESC donates 10% of net profits to organizations committed to protecting species, habitat and humanity.
In keeping with the company’s efforts to protect species and the environment, the administrative and production facility is LEED® registered and meets all the requirements of LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Rating Council.

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About Co-op America
Co-op America is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1982. The mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

About Endangered Species Chocolate
Indianapolis-based Endangered Species Chocolate is fully committed to providing premium, all-natural ethically traded, naturally shade-grown, and kosher products, as well as products that are certified vegan and organic. To honor its core value – Reverence for Life – ESC confirms that all beans used in its products are purchased from family-owned properties where the income benefits the community. The company also donates 10-percent of net profits to help support species, habitat and humanity. The number one best selling brand of natural chocolate in the natural food category, ESC offers more than 30 products.

For more information, please visit www.chocolatebar.com.