Waitrose has partnered with Tony’s Open Chain to launch nine own-brand chocolate bars to support more sustainable cocoa sourcing throughout the industry.
It marks the first time a UK retailer has collaborated with the initiative started by Tony’s Chocolonely to end exploitation in the cocoa industry, joining global brands including Ben & Jerry’s and Albert Heijn, as well as UK names Huel and Pleese.
The full range, which includes Cooks’ ingredients bars and features the same recipes and flavours, will be available across all UK stores from this week, recognisable by the yellow Tony’s Open Chain ‘button’ on the front of pack.
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By joining the initiative, the upmarket retailer is committing to its five sourcing principles, including rigorous sourcing standards such as robust traceability, paying the living income reference price for cocoa and building long term partnerships with partner cooperatives to support farmers and develop thriving cocoa communities.
According to Tony’s Chocolonely, cocoa sourced to its five sourcing principles is proven to be verified deforestation free, reduce child labour from the industry average of 46.7% to 4.4% and to contribute 62% to cocoa household income in Côte d’Ivoire.
All Tony’s Open Chain cocoa is Fairtrade certified, and as part of Waitrose’s ambition to reduce the living income gap for cocoa farmers, the grocer has paid an additional premium on top of the Fairtrade certified bean price to reach the Living Income Reference Price.
Waitrose commercial director Charlotte Di Cello said: “We’re proud to be the first UK retailer to join Tony’s Chocolonely in their mission to end exploitation in cocoa, but we definitely hope we aren’t the last.
“Joining as a ‘Mission Ally’ is crucial to helping set a new industry standard, in a world where sustainability is no longer optional but essential, we want to not just meet but exceed our customers’ expectations for responsibly and ethically sourced, high-quality food across the UK and international supply chains.”
