PARTNERSHIPS AND PROJECTS
Consumers can choose to shop responsibly. Just like Chocolat Frey, which has decided to go down this route.
Chocolat Frey doesn’t just work from far-distant Switzerland, but regularly visits the producers’ countries. This makes it easier for Chocolat Frey’s sustainability team to support the implementation of social projects; in turn, the farmers get to know their customers and learn that they can rely on them. Cooperation is based on the UTZ standard, which promotes adherence to social and ecological criteria and governs payment of a price premium.
Ivory Coast - Necaayo
The village community and representatives of Chocolat Frey gather for the opening of the health centre in Allakro.
Health centre with maternity ward
Chocolat Frey has been buying its cocoa beans direct from the Necaayo Cooperative since 2012. Five hundred growers in the farming community in the south-west of the Ivory Coast currently produce cocoa for Chocolat Frey. They live in little hamlets spread across eight parishes around the village of Allakro, about an hour from the port town of San Pedro.
Chocolat Frey, the Cooperative’s exclusive partner, has financed construction of a health centre with a maternity ward. This has given some 2500 people in the area access to basic medical care. A water pump and solar electricity plant have also been installed, and two houses built for the nurses, midwives and their families. Another project has expanded a school and refurbished the school canteen.
As they travel around the Allakro cocoa plantations, Chocolat Frey’s sustainability team have seen for themselves the effectiveness of the collaboration with Necaayo. The contractual agreements are being fulfilled and the UTZ premiums used as specified by Chocolat Frey. Some uses of the premiums include downpayments on fertilizers and the purchase of modern harvesting equipment.
During their last visit the team learned that the health centre nurse now has a motorcycle. This means he can carry out vaccinations in the communities and can quickly reach any emergencies. This is an example of the long-term effect of Chocolat Frey’s commitment beyond the end of the project and shows the positive effect that direct, long-term partnerships can have on local development.
Voices from the source
Djodjo Walla (52), cocoa grower from Guiré, Necaayo Cooperative
“We receive training to teach us all about cocoa growing. This helps us achieve a bigger, better quality harvest.”
Assamoi Kouassi Paulin (40), nurse
“Last year we carried out numerous vaccination programmes in the villages. The children have now been vaccinated against diseases such as tuberculosis, yellow fever, hepatitis and measles.”
Rosine, midwife
“Pregnant women and new-born babies are examined in the maternity department. I also advise people on family planning.”
Ileg Tabio Arististe Parfait (31) & Brou Kouakou Jean Pacome (27), Extension Officers, Necaayo Cooperative
“We believe that training is the biggest bonus of UTZ certification. It involves more than just learning. We have fun, and the cocoa growers can have a chat.”
Victor Amani Kouame (40), cocoa grower from Allakro, Necaayo cooperative
“Thanks to the cooperation with Chocolat Frey, Necaayo is able to invest in our communities. Our cooperative supports us throughout the year and we receive the premium when money is in short supply in the summer.”
ECUADOR – AGROSÁNCHEZ
Marcos Medina, an extremely innovative cocoa grower from Montalvo, built his own covered greenhouse for drying beans.
Dedication to fine cocoa
Chocolat Frey has obtained a significant proportion of its Ecuadorean cocoa beans from its partner Agrosánchez since 2013. When visiting the Ventanas region to the north of Guayaquil, where fine cocoa originated, the sustainability team has seen proof of the effect Chocolat Frey’s dedication is having on cocoa cultivation and quality.
The team looked in particular at the premium, and whether it was being put to good use. Agrosánchez invests part of the premium in fertilizers and pesticides and buys a range of equipment which the farmers can borrow and use at no charge.
Charitable projects which benefit the cocoa growers and their families are financed with part of the premiums. Chocolat Frey got involved in rebuilding a faulty drinking water treatment plant, for example.
Ghana
A simple but serviceable pump system provides the whole village with access to clean drinking water.
50,000 people gained access to clean drinking water
Between 2013 and 2015 Chocolat Frey purchased large quantities of cocoa beans from Ghana via a direct partnership. Part of the premiums were used to implement a drinking water project. 86 water pumps were constructed in six different regions as part of this project. As a result, more than 50,000 people gained access to clean drinking water.
Follow us on our journey to the source.
Cocoa beans from Ghana
Sustainable procurement of raw materials and social engagement are key components in Chocolat Frey’s sustainability strategy. As part of this, the company buys cocoa beans from UTZ-certified plantations and implements social projects for the cocoa-growing communities in the countries where this most precious raw material originates.
From 2013 to 2015, Chocolat Frey AG’s sustainability team closely followed implementation of a drinking water project in Ghana.
SOS Children's Villages
Involvement in Asiakwa SOS Children’s Village
The majority of Chocolat Frey’s cocoa beans come from West Africa. In 2007 the company financed construction of one of what are now 12 family homes in Asiakwa, Ghana. Since then Chocolat Frey has borne the house’s annual running costs. Asiakwa village is currently home to 107 orphaned and abandoned children and 60 adolescents. They are cared for there until they are independent and have the opportunity to complete appropriate education or training.
NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE FOSTER CHILDREN AT SOS-KINDERDORF
