Cultivate Better was inspired by this ethos and embodies our continual journey toward sustainability and responsible business practices. Cultivate Better inspires our industry-leading initiatives that strive to not only cultivate and preserve premium flavors responsibly but also protect and support the people, communities, and natural resources and environments that allow them to flourish for generations to come.
Our initiatives are interconnected, one part cannot flourish without the other, creating an integrated ecosystem designed for the long-lasting sustainability of the global cocoa and chocolate community.
2024 Progress Report – Cultivate Better, Cultivate Better Cocoa and Cocoa & Forests Initiative
Read Our Archived 2023 Report
Driving Positive Impact through supply chain innovation. Cultivate Better Cocoa is a premium-based program designed to drive impact at the farm level through collaboration with on the ground partners, farmers and cooperatives to boost income streams. Through Cultivate Better Cocoa, we create comprehensive programs that boost primary income streams by collaborating with farmers to improve and protect the unique flavor profiles of their cocoa. The premiums we receive are directly allocated to supporting farm-level quality and flavor investments, gender equality, income diversification, health, nutrition, and agroforestry initiatives.
2024 Progress Report – Cultivate Better, Cultivate Better Cocoa and Cocoa & Forests Initiative
2023 Cultivate Better, Cultivate Better Cocoa and Cocoa & Forests Initiative
2022 Cultivate Better, Cultivate Better Cocoa and Cocoa & Forests Initiative
We’ve joined forces with other industry members to tackle deforestation and ensure the protection and restoration of forests for a thriving cocoa community. The Cocoa & Forests Initiative is a public-private partnership based on frameworks for action. Our commitment to this important work is based on the values of our 5th generation family-owned business--our viewpoint is one of longevity, value creation and relationships. CFI is our commitment to building zero deforestation - agroforestry systems throughout our cocoa supply chains globally.
Our innovative spirit shines through in our day-to-day operations—a hands-on approach to crafting new blends while using heritage techniques and original recipes—all with the goal of honoring the full flavors of the cacao we’ve sourced. Chocolate making is an art unto itself and one we’ve cherished for over 150 years. It begins on the farm where cocoa farmers carefully and artfully harvest, ferment and dry their cacao beans. It continues once small batches of those flavor-forward beans arrive at our California factory where we combine generation-old techniques with innovative blends and approaches to craft premium chocolates.