Ben & Jerry’s and Tony’s Chocolonely have combined forces to end modern slavery and child labour in the chocolate industry, in a collaboration that will see the debuting of two new flavours next year.
To celebrate their joint commitment to this cause, both companies created sweet treats inspired by this, which will be hitting shelves in January 2023. Ben & Jerry’s has created Chocolatey Love A-Fair, a new flavour based on Tony’s caramel sea salt bar, and Tony’s Chocolate Love A-Fair, which are two new Tony’s bars inspired by the Strawberry Cheesecake and Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream flavours.
Cocoa beans sourced for these chocolatey treats are done through Tony’s Open Chain, which helps companies to take steps towards ending modern slavery and child labour. Following five principles, the chocolate sourced needs to have traceable beans, a higher price, strong farmers, consider the long term, and incorporate productivity and quality into the chain.
Ben & Jerry’s will begin incorporating its ice cream portfolio into the Open Chain and prioritising the cocoa used in the ice cream base mix. The ice cream company already pays farmers a Fairtrade Premium for their cocoa beans through an ongoing partnership with Fairtrade, as well as paying them a living income price. Now belonging to Tony’s Open Chain, it will commit to the five sourcing principles, including paying a fee to support partner co-operatives in Côte d’Ivoire.
As an ally of this Open Chain and beginning the conversion to buying cocoa directly from eight partner co-operatives in Côte d’Ivoire, Ben & Jerry’s will get to know the farmers that produce the beans going into their ice cream, as well as the social and environmental circumstances in which they are grown.
“We began this journey seven years ago, when we first partnered with Fairtrade co-ops in Côte d’Ivoire, and this is the exciting next step in our cocoa journey as we amplify our commitment to farmers, equity and ethical sourcing,” said Cheryl Pinto, Ben & Jerry’s Global Head of Values-led Sourcing. “Tony’s Open Chain enables us to combine traceability with sourcing principles that naturally align to Ben & Jerry’s mission.”
“Embracing the 5 Sourcing Principles of Tony’s Open Chain means unlocking the key elements to driving strong trading relationships and thriving cocoa communities” she added. “We are serious about chocolatey ice cream, and we are eager to join forces with Tony’s Open Chain as a Mission Ally, on a delicious journey towards a more ethical future for cocoa production that all chocolate lovers deserve!”
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