Colombian chocolate manufacturer Luker Chocolate announced recently that it has been certified as a B Corporation, highlighting the company’s commitment to using business as a force for good and “driving transformational change” in the cocoa industry.
Parent organisation CasaLuker received 92.8 points from non-profit organisation B Lab, which is responsible for accrediting companies with B Corp certifications after they meet or exceed the rigorous Impact Assessment criteria.
To demonstrate how it balances social and ethical standards alongside profit, the certification addresses the entirety of a company’s operations, covering five key impact areas; Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. Out of these areas, Luker scored most highly for Governance – which assesses a company’s overall mission, social and environmental engagement, ethics, transparency and, importantly, the ability to formally consider all stakeholders in decision making.
Since its founding in 1906, Luker Chocolate has made it its mission to contribute to the sustainable development of rural communities in Colombia. The certification follows on from other business strides that accelerate progress towards its 2027 goals. In 2020, for example, it aligned all business operations with a ‘triple-impact approach’ which looks to raise farmer income, promote social wellbeing in cocoa-producing areas and nurture the environment.
“We’re taking proactive, measurable steps toward meaningful change, and our goals align with our mission to make a difference in the world. As a company, we vehemently uphold the values of transparency, fairness, and sustainability in our operations and throughout our value chain,” said Julia Ocampo, Sustainability Director at Luker Chocolate. “This certification recognises the work we’re already doing and the responsible sourcing practices we have in place. We’re excited to continue raising the standards for our industry and aligning people and the planet with profit.”
Launching The Chocolate Dream in 2018, the company aims to transform the cocoa farming industry in Colombia by 2030, looking to create a more significant, sustainable and positive future for cocoa farming communities.
“We’re thrilled to join the B Corp community and be recognised for the work we’ve done to underpin our social purpose and values. As a result of our work through The Chocolate Dream, we’re bettering the cocoa farming industry in Colombia and delivering a product that aligns with the high standards and ethics of our customers,” added Camilo Romero, CEO of Luker Chocolate.
The company’s 2022 Sustainability Progress Report highlights key impact areas and achievements that contributed towards receiving the B Corp certification, including increased farmer income (having increased the income of 829 farmers by 20%), improved social wellbeing (enhancing the standard of living for 3000+ families), enhanced ecological conservation (safeguarding more than 2600 hectares of farmland) and traceability (aiming to achieve 100% traceability by 2030).
“B Corp certification reinforces Luker Chocolate’s commitment to being a transformational force for good in the world. By joining the B Corp movement, Luker Chocolate is proud to be part of a community of like-minded companies dedicated to using business as a force for good,” concluded Camilo Romero.i
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