G&B’s in Belize and Dominican Republic
Watch Video: The Toledo Cacao Growers Association
Belize
Green & Black’s has been buying organic cocoa from the Toledo Cacao Growers Association (TCGA) farmer’s co-operative in Belize since 1994. Our company's founders, Craig and Jo started this relationship which continues today. Green & Black’s buys all the organic cocoa beans the TCGA produce for a minimum guaranteed price which includes an organic premium. This allows the farmers to benefit from rises in cocoa prices and ensures they have the security in case the market price falls. We also have a five year rolling contract in place with the TCGA and are investing in their cocoa growing communities. The fair price, long term contract and community investment the TCGA receive from Green & Black’s give them economic security and enable them to plan for the future for their families and community including education for their children. In 2003, we extended our activities with cocoa farmers and started our Belize Program to provide even more support. We decided to invest a considerable sum of money over three years with the TCGA and this money was kindly matched by a grant from the government (DFID). This investment in cocoa farming communities was used to help improve management and farming practices, rehabilitate hurricane damaged crops, plant more cocoa trees (over 1 million), and train farmers in better growing methods. Today, Green & Black’s continues to provide technical advice and support the farmers in Belize. As a result the cocoa farmers are able to sell more high quality organic cocoa beans and increase their income.
Dominican Republic
We also buy organic cocoa beans from the cocoa farmers in the Dominican Republic at a premium considerably above the world market price. We have also invested in fermentation, drying equipment and technical support to help farmers further improve bean quality so they can sell more high quality beans and earn more income.
