British snacks brand, Pip & Nut, joins Tony’s Chocolonely’s open chain sustainable sourcing drive

British-based natural snacking group, Pip & Nut, has become the first UK business within its category to sign up to Tony’s Chocolonely’s Open Chain sourcing strategy designed to improve companies sourcing policies and offer greater support to key cocoa sector communities, writes Neill Barston.

The company joins the ranks of three other firms in the region to become a mission ally of the Dutch-founded impact business which has continued its goal of driving down levels of child labour within the confectionery sector, and will be returning to participate at this year’s World Confectionery Conference, with its senior team member, Joke Aerts, speaking at the event surrounding key progress it has made. You can still register for this year’s event in Brussels on 12 September through the following direct link.

As Tony’s noted, Pip & Nut follows in the footsteps of  Waitrose, Aldi, Ben & Jerry’s and Huel in committing to the Tony’s Open Chain 5 sourcing principles – including rigorous sourcing standards, robust traceability, paying the Living Income Reference Price for cocoa and building long term partnerships with partner cooperatives to support farmers and develop thriving cocoa communities.

This initiative allows Mission Allies to compete on chocolate but collaborate on cocoa, amplifying a collective mission for setting a new, ethical norm in cocoa. In total there are now 16 Mission Allies part of Tony’s Open Chain, all committed to end all forms of exploitation in the industry.

Moreover, as the company revealed, the decision to join the Tony’s Open Chain comes as Pip & Nut comes as the brand looks to deepen and strengthen its existing commitments to ethical and sustainable sourcing, which has already seen the business ban palm oil from its products since day one, source 100% of its almonds from the Californian Almond Stewardship Programme which drives sustainable farming practices; and commit to working with FSA accredited peanut suppliers.

Pippa Murray, CEO and Founder of Pip & Nut said: “As a B-Corp we have an important role to play in championing ethical and sustainable sourcing across our supply chain. We’ve already started with our biggest ingredients – our nuts – by becoming one of only four participants in the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect against drought and the climate crisis through regenerative agriculture. Joining Tony’s Open Chain is a natural next step, and why we’re so proud to be the first UK snacking brand to become a Mission Ally. From today, our commitment is that all our cocoa will be sourced through the Open Chain, starting with our delicious nut-butter cups, and continuing with any new chocolate product we make. Our hope is that by joining the Open Chain, we can build long-term partnerships with our cocoa suppliers and work collectively to create a fairer, more ethical, sector”.

For her part, Kitty Pandya, UK&I Sales Manager at Tony’s Open Chain, expressed enthusiasm that another notable business in the sector was seeking to hone its sustainability practices. She said: “We are delighted that Pip & Nut have joined Tony’s Open Chain as a new Mission Ally.  Pip & Nut is a brand which has always and continues to truly advocate ethical and sustainable sourcing, and we welcome their commitment to the Tony’s Open Chain movement – to end exploitation in cocoa, together.  This innovative and fast-growing brand joins a group of committed brands and retailers that see a better way of sourcing cocoa.   Together, we can amplify our impact and drive meaningful change, working on a brighter future for cocoa farmers and their communities.”