Divine Chocolate
Divine is the only fair trade chocolate company which is 45% owned by the farmers. While fair trade ensures farmers receive a better deal for their cocoa and additional income to invest in their community, company ownership gives farmers a share of Divine’s profits and a stronger voice in the cocoa industry.
In autumn 1998, Divine, the first ever Fair trade chocolate bar aimed at the mass market was launched onto the UK confectionery market. In an exciting new business model, the co-operative of cocoa farmers in Ghana own shares in the company making the chocolate bar. Two farmers’ representatives came to London to celebrate at the most Divine launch party in town. Divine Fairtrade milk chocolate, made from Kuapa’s best of the best fairly traded cocoa beans was launched in October 1998 and by Christmas 1998, had made it onto the supermarket shelves . . .
The farmers’ ownership stake in The Day Chocolate Company a first in the fair trade world, means that Kuapa Kokoo has a meaningful input into decisions about how Divine is produced and sold. Two representatives from Kuapa Kokoo are Directors on the company’s Board, and one out of four Board Meetings every year is held in Ghana. As shareholders, the farmers also receive a share of the profits from the sale of Divine. This innovative company structure was recognised when Divine was awarded Millennium Product status.
In 2006, original Day Chocolate founder The Body Shop made the brilliant decision to donate its shares in the Company to Kuapa Kokoo – so now the farmers’ cooperative has an even bigger stake in Divine. On 1st January 2007, Day Chocolate changed its name to Divine Chocolate Ltd to more closely align the company with our flagship brand, and the brand itself experienced a major redesign. Then on February 14th 2007 the launch of Divine Chocolate Inc in the USA was announced… Another big year in the life of Divine!
Divine Chocolate’s products are certified Kosher by K Mushulash/Triangle K, Inc.and certified fair trade by the International Fair Labeling Organization (FLO).
Their Judaica products include Kosher Chanukah gelt.
Divine Chocolate wholesales its chocolates to retailers, purchased on line at http://www.serrv.org/, or you can find them at a store near you with the Divine Chocolate Store Finder.
Divine Chocolate
418 7th Street
South East Washington, DC 20003
202-332-8913
http://www.divinechocolateusa.com/
