Endangered Species Chocolate announces 2007 partners

INDIANAPOLIS –In 2007, Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC) will donate 10% of its net profits to Chimp Haven and The Ocean Conservancy, in addition to funding six scholarships for Nigerian schoolchildren. The three recipients coincide very closely with ESC’s triad of species, habitat and humanity.

ESC has a rigorous process in which partners are selected based on their aggressive and clear mission to help species, habitat and/or humanity. Starting in 2007, ESC will partner with the selected organizations for a minimum of two years in order to have a greater, more long-lasting impact on their mission.

Species
Chimp Haven provides lifetime care for chimpanzees no longer used for medical research, as pets or entertainers. The 200-acre Shreveport, LA, sanctuary will be home to more than 200 of the approximately 1,300 chimpanzees who have been used in federally supported research and who are housed in research facilities. Funds received from ESC will be used for veterinary care and medicine, the food preparation and enrichment kitchen, and habitat enhancements.
www.chimphaven.org

Habitat
The Ocean Conservancy, located in Washington, DC, promotes healthy and diverse ocean ecosystems and opposes practices that threaten ocean life and human life. Through research, education, and science-based advocacy, The Ocean Conservancy informs, inspires, and empowers people to speak and act on behalf of the oceans.  The grant will be used to fund three projects: SEE Turtles: Sea turtle Ecotourism Expeditions, The International Coastal Cleanup and the Florida Wildlife Program.
www.oceanconservancy.org

Humanity
In partnership with Saro Agro Science, six scholarships will be granted to the top students in the Ikom region of Nigeria where ESC cacao is harvested. The money will be used to purchase school books, supplies and uniforms.

“Our selection process is designed to be robust, so we engage in a very sequential procedure.” ESC takes in many applications and based on strict criteria, the number is brought down to six candidates. Then all staff at ESC is given the opportunity to review the applicants and vote on the ones they support. The top candidates become the new slate of 10% partners. “This is an important process for us. We want to be sure we are honoring our covenant with our consumer, thus a diligent job in selecting 10% partners that are truly engaged in making a difference on the planet,” says Zink.

In addition to donating 10-percent of net profits to conservation-minded nonprofits, ESC only uses cacao grown under the natural canopy of the forest, another way to protect the environment and the species living there. Once the cacao is harvested it is ethically traded, ensuring humane working conditions and a fair price for the farmers and their communities. These efforts are a few among many green business practices that ESC employs to help support species recovery, conservation of habitats and honoring of human life.

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 small, 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 and organic chocolate in the natural food category, ESC offers more than 30 products.

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