Sweet, Green and Fair all Over

Just the thought of Divine Chocolate makes my mouth water a little. I know that dark chocolate is better for you, but I really recommend you try out their milk chocolate. As cheesy as it sounds, it really is divine.

A while back, I featured the Kuapa Kokoo Cooperative as a 'Face of Fair Trade'. The Kuapa Kokoo Cooperative are the farmers behind the Divine Chocolate. Aside from farming the cacao beans for the Fair Trade Certified chocolate, the Kuapa Kokoo Cooperative own a significant portion of the Divine Chocolate company, have seats on the board and also have share in the profits. They are inspiration to everyone in the Fair Trade community because they really exemplify the possibilities and successes that the Fair Trade movement can achieve.

Co-op America recently conducted an interview with the CEO of Divine Chocolate USA, Erin Gorman, for their December installment of 'Faces of the Green Pages'. Erin talks about the work she does with Divine Chocolate and the farmers who make it all happen.

What makes Divine Chocolate a green business?

Divine has been recognized in the US and in Europe for its commitment to Fair Trade and its pioneering ownership model. We've created a brand that allows farmers to tell their own story. We joined Co-op America because it is an aspirational community, where everyday we learn about new ways to improve how we do business. Green is a process, not a destination, and it's a pleasure to be involved in the journey with so many other social entrepreneurs.

The network of green businesses continues to grow as people become more aware and concerned about their consuming habits. A leader in the green business movement, Erin explains the challenges of maintaining high standards of social and environmental responsibility.

As a global brand, our biggest green challenge is the environmental and economic cost of fostering participation by farmers in Ghana in our work in the US. Kuapa Kokoo works very hard to encourage cocoa farmers to actively participate in the leadership of the cooperative, and then in the promotion of their chocolate brand to the world at large.

However, there are real limits to the frequency of visits to the US that are possible for the farmers. There are time constraints to deal with, and the carbon footprint of the plane trips. Our challenge is to find partners to help facilitate participation in new and tangible ways, using new and emerging technologies. For example, we've started establishing some video-linking programs between schools in Kuapa societies and schools in the UK. I am hoping to be able to bring this soon to the US as well.

Divine Chocolate and their pioneer model of farmer ownership sets them out to be real innovators. What are their next steps to continue their green commitment?

I look forward to bringing more businesses and their customers into efforts to address poverty and development through Fair Trade and social enterprise. This is an essential part of any green economy -- finding ways to improve the livelihoods of the world's poor. Co-op America has been a leader in ensuring that the definition of "green" includes social and economic justice.

In particular, it is exciting to see "Fair Trade towns" popping up across the country -- seeing citizens take control of their own local marketplace.

Check out the rest of the interview for more, including advice for budding green entrepreneurs out there. You do that while I explore some of their recipes. Ripe plantain chocolate cake! Oh. dear.

Photos: Co-op America