Supporting People & Communities
We address child protection through an integrated approach across multiple programs and one that is driven by public - private partnerships with local governments and multilateral agencies to drive systemic change. We’re committed to honorable sourcing throughout our supply chain and do not tolerate illegal practices, including child labor, forced labor or unsafe working conditions for any member of the farming family.
We support child protection through our contributions to and active membership in the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI). ICI conducts research and develops programs that educate and build awareness around child-labor mitigation and remediation systems (CLMRS). We comply with California’s Transparency in Supply Chains Act SB 657. Further, we continue to address child welfare through our Cultivate BetterTM Cocoa program as well as our ongoing commitment to Fair Trade USA and Rainforest Alliance.
Women are key drivers of change and development in rural communities and much of a program’s success relies on their active involvement. Within the cocoa sector, women are often responsible for a variety of roles within the household - from food preparation, to income generation to childcare. Despite their active involvement in the cocoa farm activities, they are often excluded from farmer training as well as financial decision-making, both of which have implications on household incomes and the sustainability of communities.
Through our participation in the World Cocoa Foundation’s Cocoa Livelihood Program (2008 - 2019) we helped women’s groups in co-ops across West Africa to establish secure food sources through crop diversification, business skill-building, and ongoing financial independence, enabling critical alternative revenue streams to flow into cocoa households between harvests.
This critical work continues today in partnerships with cooperatives in West Africa and Latin America through our Cultivate BetterTM Cocoa programs. Women are receiving the skills necessary to improve and better manage cocoa farming activities, increasing their overall food-crop production and generating more income, which leads to greater economic empowerment, improved nutrition and enhanced welfare for the entire cocoa community.
The Guittard team actively supports The Boys and Girls Club of America and the Careers in Culinary Arts program (C-Cap), helping future generations access the training and opportunity they need to achieve success. We also support the Good Food Foundation, which celebrates the art and craft of the sustainable food movement and the Creative Growth Art Center, a nonprofit that serves artists with disabilities.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco inspires and enables all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
Other ingredients, such as sugar, added cocoa butter and milk (in the case of milk chocolate) may be added at this stage. The resulting thick chocolate is taken from the mixer and refined further to an extremely smooth consistency.
GFF brings recognition and support to over 600 mission-driven food businesses through innovative projects including the Good Food Fund, which was created to get projects off the ground that fortify an independent food system.
Creative Growth serves artists with disabilities by providing a professional studio environment for artistic development, gallery exhibition, and Representation.
