Green & Black’s launches first non-Fairtrade product
Mondelēz International-owned chocolate brand Green & Black’s is launching its first product without an organic or Fairtrade label in the UK.
The new Velvet Edition range introduces signature flavours in a smooth, velvety finish made with the finest ingredients and ethically sourced cocoa, with a slightly less intense dark chocolate taste. It will be made using sustainably sourced cocoa from the Cocoa Life programme.
Cocoa Life, which was set up by Mondelēz, means Green and Black’s will build more and stronger relationships with farming communities and become an accountable partner, not just a buyer, it says. The programme aims to secure a positive long-term future for 200,000 farmers and one million community members in six key cocoa growing countries by 2022.
“As we look to the future of Green and Black’s, we asked people who don’t currently buy the brand what they wanted, and they told us they want to enjoy Green and Black’s, but with a slightly less intense dark chocolate taste, which is where our new range comes into play,” says Glenn Caton, northern Europe president at Mondelēz International.
“Our team of expert chocolatiers have created Green and Black’s first ever new range with beans deliberately chosen for their distinctive taste, sourced from Ghana in West Africa. These beans are not available in organic at the scale required for Green and Black’s, but I am proud that they are sustainably sourced, independently verified beans from the Cocoa Life programme, of which Fairtrade will ensure we remain an accountable partner for farmers.”
The Velvet Edition bars and gifting ranges will be available in UK retail stores from 7 August. Flavours include 70% cocoa, roasted almond, raspberry & hazelnut, salted caramel, sea salt, orange & almond and mint.
