The atmosphere around ESC this week has been very excited in anticipation of the big game on Sunday.  To get in the spirit, ESC has teamed-up with Indy Parks & Recreation and donated some of its delicious organic chocolate to send in a package to New Orleans if the Indianapolis Colts don’t win the Super Bowl this weekend. 

Rumor has it that if they win a package full of red beans, beads and a voodoo doll will be on it’s way to Indianapolis on Monday courtesy of New Orleans City Park. 

So weather you’re from Indianapolis or not support your favorite all-natural and organic chocolate company this weekend by believing in blue!

After months of receiving heartfelt and HOPEful story submissions we’ve picked a winner.  Hannah Wilkins is the overall winner for our HOPE essay contest.  Hannah’s story has won her a $5000 donation to the non-profit of her choice which is Bat World Sanctuary. 

 So join us in congratulating Hannah and thank-you to all who participated in the essay contest over the past year.  We had a really tough time choosing a winner because we received so many inspiring essays. You can read Hannah’s winning essay below…

“I am eighteen years old. I just became certified in insectivorous bat rehabilitation this last Friday through Bat World Sanctuary, a non-profit organization and world leader in bat rehabilitation and conservation. I spent the past week feeding and caring for orphaned Mexican free-tail bats three times a day, often past midnight because there were so many. I realized, however, that all your exhaustion and selfishness stemming from your disappointment with life, yourself, and others peels away at the innocent gaze of an infant. When you hold a tiny body within the palm of your hand and feel their little tummies expand with nourishment, you realize that you are their only hope – suddenly your problems become dwarfed compared to theirs. That sense of empowerment leads to confidence, courage, and, most of all, humility. It’s those, like the orphan bats I cared for, who are the most helpless in this world but still throw everything they’ve got into life that give me hope.”

That’s right we want to know what kind of products your interested in seeing us launch in the next year.  Please click on the link below to begin the survey and thanks for your feedback!

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22A664NK9CR

We’re humbled to say that Peta2 has nominated our dark chocolate for a Libby Award in the category of ‘Best Vegan Chocolate’.  The Libby Awards promote products and people that support animal liberation.  You can vote for us by visiting this link http://www.peta2.com/outthere/o-libbyawards2009.asp.  So please get out and vote for your favorite vegan friendly dark chocolate and some other wonderful animal-loving products and people.

That’s right for a limited time only all direct customers will receive a free sample of our new hazelnut toffee in their orders.  We’ve gotten such positive feedback from customers who’ve tried the toffee and want to make sure everyone has a chance to sample it.           

So be sure to place your order soon so you can get a little sample of what everyone is raving about!

ESC employees have completed the Fit for the Holiday’s program 101 pounds lighter!  22 employees completed the challenge which focused on staying healthy over the holidays and not gaining the dreaded holiday weight. Not one employee gained weight over the holidays and many employees not only loss weight but inches and body fat as well. 

The final weigh-in was held just after the New Year and the combined total weight loss for all employees was 101 pounds. Several employees also set personal goals such as keeping a food journal and doing yoga to help keep them healthy.  Many employees are all ready on track for staying fit in the New Year and have set new goals.  I think our biggest obstacle will be not munching on our new organic chocolate which has been known to tantalize taste buds for hours.

 Looking for a special treat this Valentine’s Day?  Why not give your loved one some of our all-natural milk or dark chocolate treats.  These treats are available in a 24 count bag and come wrapped in festive red and brown colors perfect for Valentine’s Day. 

And if you really want to score points with your sweetie, you should send them our 3-bag count of dark or milk chocolate treats.  Not only will it save you a little green but it will also let them enjoy love months after Valentine’s Day is gone.

We don’t know if it’s the combination of nuts and berries; the smooth dark chocolate; the new packaging; or all three but our Dark Chocolate with Cranberries and Almonds (Wolf Bar) was our top selling bar in 2009. 

This is the first time our Extreme Dark Chocolate (Panther Bar) has not been our top selling bar and has moved down to the number two selling bar.  If you like the Wolf Bar but aren’t in the mood for a full size bar then you’re in luck because it also comes in a bite sized 10 count pouch. 

So stop by your local Walgreens or in Whole Foods and pick-up our new top selling bar.

As the sun slowly rises on 2010, ESC has sent two of our employees to check-in on our new Ecuadorian chocolate.  The below excerpt is from an email our new Director of Online Development sent us on Monday.

“The work we do is beautiful. I have said so many times before that it’s difficult to work in front of a computer, mould line, broker, buyer, spreadsheet, proofs etc. and connect to the true meaning behind ESC. There is not one part of this work we do that would succeed unless it was community and family driven … everyone there plays a part. It goes back to the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I feel honored and truly blessed to see what everyone’s work there is truly creating.

… I feel a great energy here and can feel first hand the positive impact we make each day hundreds of miles away … This place is brilliant and without a doubt deserves our kindness, respect and care. I am excited for the new year. I am excited to see what we are capable of. I am excited to get to work.”

This email has truly inspired everyone back here with a new energy to make 2010 the best year ever for ESC.

We ended 2009 with a bang!  Our 4th quarter sales are up 17 percent from the same period in 20008 and we want to thank our customers for making this happen.  Be sure to keep and eye-out for new products in 2010 and have a safe and Happy New Year.