Cocoa is a major ingredient for us. We use it in our savory chocolates, cookies, desserts and in some of our beverages. Consistency of supply, in terms of volume, quality and price is important for our business. We want to help maintain the long-term stability of the cocoa supply chain and improve the welfare of cocoa farmers and farm communities.
Seventy percent of the world’s cocoa comes from West Africa, where farmers face many challenges due to poverty. They deal with inadequate infrastructure, limited educational opportunities and little investment in cocoa farming.
These challenges are complex, requiring a coordinated effort from local government, industry and other organizations. Kraft Foods is working as part of this coordinated effort to help maintain our supply of cocoa.
We believe the key to solving these problems is to improve farmers’ income. We can do this by promoting efficiency in the supply chain, productivity and quality.
We’re working with non-governmental organizations and industry partners to help cocoa farmers and their families. We’re reaching out to governments and we’re supporting programs that educate farmers and promote responsible farm practices on approximately two million farms. Our primary focus is in West Africa, but we also are a part of cocoa sustainability programs in Latin America.
We hope to empower cocoa farmers, their families and communities to build better lives for themselves while making sure we maintain an adequate supply of quality cocoa for generations to come.
West Africa Cocoa Livelihoods Program
Kraft Foods entered a five-year partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and industry, government and non-governmental partners to support a World Cocoa Foundation project aimed to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers in West Africa. The partnership will provide $40 million in cash and related support to improve cocoa production and supply chain efficiency for 200,000 small-scale farmers in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Liberia by 2014. You can also visit our Better World site to learn more about our work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Rainforest Alliance certification
We are also supporting farmers in West Africa and Latin America to produce sustainable cocoa and obtain Rainforest Alliance Certification. The Rainforest Alliance Certified beans are used in some of our chocolate, biscuit and hot beverage products. You can also visit our Better World site to learn more about our work with the Rainforest Alliance.
World Cocoa Foundation
Kraft Foods is a member of World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and supports its programs. Formed in 2000, the WCF helps cocoa-farming families develop and manage effective, sustainable farming practices. The Foundation also helps farmers raise funds and acts as a forum to share ideas about cocoa farming. These efforts are often rolled-out in partnerships between the WCF and a range of interested institutions and organizations. Examples of WCF activities supported by us include:
- West Africa Cocoa Livelihoods Program with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- The Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP)
- Empowering Cocoa Households with Opportunities and Education Solutions (ECHOES)
Working with CARE – Brazil and Ghana
We support CARE in their mission to fight poverty through two projects working with cocoa farmers. In Brazil, CARE is introducing methods of cocoa production that will substantially increase production for small-scale farmers.
With the support of Kraft Foods in Ghana, CARE will build the agricultural capacity of 2,500 cocoa farmers in the Ashanti region over the next 3 years. These efforts have the potential to improve the livelihoods of tens of thousands of poor families in both countries.
Addressing social conditions in West African cocoa farms
Kraft Foods is involved in substantial efforts designed to ensure that children are not harmed in cocoa farming and worst forms of child labor are eradicated.
We have been working with the chocolate and cocoa industry to help governments take action, and educate farmers. We also want to assist with creating systems to continue to improve labor practices on the estimated two million farms in the region. These efforts involve all parties: cocoa growers, exporters, non-governmental organizations, national and local government and manufacturers.
In 2002, we helped establish an independent foundation, the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), to oversee and sustain efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor and forced labor on cocoa farms. Supported by individual chocolate and cocoa companies, the ICI is led by a board composed equally of industry and non-governmental organization representatives. Today, ICI is active in more than 240 cocoa growing communities in West Africa and remains the only foundation of its kind.