Lindt & Sprüngli has achieved an important milestone in its sustainability efforts, as the company announces that 100% of its cocoa beans are traceable and externally verified by non-profit organisation, Earthworm Foundation.
The chocolatier set up the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program back in 2008 with the aim of ensuring traceability and sustainability in its cocoa bean supply chain. The Program promotes the ecological and socially responsible cultivation of cocoa beans and aims to support farmers, their families and communities.
Initially launched in Ghana, the Program is now running in all five countries where the company sources its cocoa beans.
“The challenges in the cocoa-growing countries for Lindt & Sprüngli, as well as for the entire chocolate industry, are very complex,” said Dieter Weisskopf, CEO of the Lindt & Sprüngli. “It is therefore extremely important for us to address the issues in a targeted manner with our own Farming Program to directly achieve sustainable improvements.”
“Reaching the interim goal of 100% traceable and verified cocoa beans is an important milestone for us. We will continue to pursue our path with great energy and continuously expand and improve the Program. It is clear – there is still a lot to do,” he added.
The Farming Program focuses on four key pillars: traceability and farmer organisation; training and knowledge transfer; farmer investments and community development; and verification and continuous progress (internal control system and external evaluation).
In 2020, approximately $12 million were invested into the Program.
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