NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Beyond Good, a pioneer in dark chocolate and at-origin production, today commented on Assessing Progress in Reducing Child Labor in Cocoa Production in Cocoa Growing Areas of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, a report compiled by NORC at the University of Chicago funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
"The real problem in the chocolate industry is poverty," said Tim McCollum, founder and CEO, Beyond Good. "The existing industrial supply chain keeps farmers living in poverty. No top-down protocol addressing symptoms, however egregious they may be, is a quick-fix for poverty."
"It doesn't take a 200-page document and a 20-year protocol to confirm that the system is broken," continued McCollum. "Until the supply chain is fixed, the talk, the attention, the dollars for band-aid solutions, are just a waste of time and money. Meantime, farmers continue struggling to make a living for their families."
Beyond Good is the only brand in the U.S. making chocolate at source in Africa. This business model has eliminated all intermediaries in the supply chain, and delivers six times the income for cocoa farmers and 100% traceability for consumers.
According to the World Cocoa Foundation, 70% of the world's cocoa is grown in Africa; however, less than 1% of the world's chocolate is produced there. Supply chain fragmentation drives poverty, exploitation, and environmental degradation in cocoa-producing countries. Most farmers earn less than $1 USD a day. The traditional African cocoa supply chain involves three to five layers of intermediaries and requires up to 120 days in transit from farm to factory.
In contrast, there are zero layers of intermediaries in Beyond Good's supply chain in Madagascar. It takes only ten days for cocoa to become a Beyond Good chocolate bar. Farmers harvest cocoa and transport cocoa beans to the chocolate factory down the road, where the chocolate-making process continues. This model allows farmers to add value and earn six times the industry standard in wages.
"At Beyond Good, we wanted a supply chain we'd be proud of. The only way to get there was to build our own," said McCollum."
Beyond Good recently announced plans for ongoing cocoa and lemur conservation with The Bristol Zoo. In addition, Beyond Good is included in The 2020 Saveur 100 for its flavor, fairness, and conservation.
About Beyond Good
Beyond Good, a pioneer in dark chocolate and at-origin production, is the only brand in the U.S. market producing bean-to-bar chocolate at source in Africa. From an organic certified chocolate factory in Madagascar, Beyond Good produces the finest heirloom chocolate bars and employs 42 full-time employees, while providing a stable pay price for cocoa farmers. By making finished product in Africa, Beyond Good is redefining high-quality chocolate and sustainability in the chocolate industry. It's not just good, it's Beyond Good. For more information, visit http://www.beyondgood.com and follow @eatbeyondgood on Facebook and Instagram.
SOURCE Beyond Good
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