REVERENCE FOR LIFE Here, our core value is Reverence for Life, which is modeled after renowned humanitarian Albert Schweitzer’s ethic of the same name. We believe all life is precious and deserving of our respect, kindness and care, and this Reverence for Life ethic is at the heart of each our business practices.
ETHICAL TRADE Endangered Species Chocolate is 100% Ethically Traded. We buy our cacao from small family-owned properties, helping sustain the habitats and communities in which they exist.We only buy cacao grown in the natural shade of rich, diverse forests. Choosing our chocolate is one way you can help support sustainable forest farmland and the species that flourish there. Since it is ethically traded, we ensure farmers humane working conditions and a fair price for their cacao.
MORE THAN JUST A LIST Our exquisite chocolate and colorful wrappers serve not only to increase awareness of species currently listed as threatened or endangered on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered Species List, but to inspire proactive conservation for animals confronting universal struggles such as habitat encroachment, poaching, and pollution. Our products aim to honor all flora and fauna that share this planet. All are invaluable…and sadly, all are vulnerable. Join us in taking care of one another and our Earth. It’s time.
STORY Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC) was founded in 1993 in effort to spread awareness and to make an impact on the growing number of plant and animal species that are 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. 10 percent of our net profits are donated to help support species, habitat and humanity.
To keep up with growing demand for premium chocolate with a cause, and to take advantage of a centralized Midwest location to reduce shipping costs and time, in 2005 ESC moved from its original 5,000-square-foot facility in Oregon to Indiana. The Indianapolis facility provides 43,000 square feet and is expandable to 77,000 square feet. In keeping with our commitment to protect species and our environment, the building is LEED® registered by the U.S. Green Building Rating Council and ESC is pursuing LEED certification. We continually research and implement ways to reduce our carbon footprint.
ESC confirms that all of our chocolate is created from ethically traded, shade-grown cacao grown on small family-owned properties that support the habitats and communities in which they exist. In February 2006, four ESC team members traveled to the Ikom region of Nigeria where we source some of our all-natural cacao. While observing ethical trade in action, ESC sponsored the provision of school supplies for nearly 2000 children and the installation of water pumps for two local villages. In 2007, ESC sponsored a medical missionary to Nigeria and in 2008 two representatives from ESC will participate in a medical mission in Nigeria. Additionally, representatives will visit farming cooperatives in Ivory Coast, the newest source for our all-natural cacao. There they plan to document the sustainable and responsible harvest of cacao.
ESC’s organic cacao is sourced from Peru to create ten varieties of organic milk and dark chocolate bars in addition to bite-sized treats. We plan to visit cacao farmers in Peru in summer 2008. Fair prices are paid for all harvested products used in making Endangered Species Chocolate’s all-natural and organic chocolate products and a fair wage and humane working conditions are ensured for all workers.
Today, more than 30 ESC products are available to customers who crave premium, all-natural chocolate – and who share our commitment to protect Earth. Many bars are identified with an at-risk species and include information about the plight of these animals. Our new 3-ounce organic bars, 3-ounce all-natural bars, 1.4-ounce organic bars, .35-ounce bite-size treats, gift boxes and merchandise offer a variety of indulgent flavors and mission-driven novelties. Endangered Species Chocolate consistently ranks as a top selling brand of chocolate in natural supermarkets, according to SPINS, the leading provider of information in the natural products industry.
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. We believe that all life is precious and deserves our respect, kindness and care. Through our premium chocolate products, we seek to spread environmental awareness and ignite compassion for all life on our planet.
