Contact:
Amy Hollrah
Endangered Species Chocolate
317.216.2157 Ext. 157
ahollrah@chocolatebar.com

Endangered Species Chocolate team reports from Peru cocoa farms

INDIANAPOLIS – Endangered Species Chocolate representatives are in Peru visiting cocoa farmers in order to ensure ethical and sustainable farming practices. The company began sourcing organic cocoa from Naranjillo Cooperative during the second quarter of 2008.

Mark Waddell, sales manager and former humanitarian project manager, reports that “the cooperative leaders are being very transparent.” Upon the Endangered Species Chocolate team’s arrival, their hosts in Peru held a press conference to show how organic chocolate is marketed in the United States.

Late August and September mark the end of the main harvesting season for the cocoa crops. Endangered Species Chocolate is observing the full process, from cocoa pods being cut from trees to cocoa beans being dried and fermented.

Chocolate made with Peruvian cocoa tends to be fruity due to the other plants surrounding the cocoa trees in the forest. Cocoa trees thrive under the natural shade of the forest, and in Peru you’ll find citrus, banana, papaya and pineapple trees surrounding them. Cocoa trees also share the forest with birds, small pigs and monkeys.

“The flavor profile of the Peruvian cacao is a fantastic match for our new Organic Health products,” says Wayne Zink, CEO of Endangered Species Chocolate. “We are excited to be on-the-ground to see first-hand the crop that is gathered from the Naranjillo Cooperative.”

The Naranjillo Cooperative has approximately 3,000 farmers harvesting cocoa and coffee. Strict laws in Peru keep child labor away from cocoa farms, making the farming age range from 20 to 85.

Endangered Species Chocolate had the opportunity to interview the Cooperative president, Jose Majia, in April. When asked what the biggest challenges are in the cocoa industry, he said, “It is very competitive. Peru has struggled to grow globally. Many of our farmers are young and need to be educated on fermentation, bedding, compost and canopy.”

Naranjillo Cooperative achieved its organic certification in 2003. According to Majia, the switch to organic came about because the Cooperative can sell the cocoa for a premium which is split between three educational programs for farmers and their families and given in cash to farmers.

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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.