Frequently asked Questions

We believe in transparency

Certifications get a bit muddy when working with 1000’s of individual smallholder cacao farmers. We hope this answers all of your questions in an open way that allows you to make the best decision for yourself. If we’ve missed something, let us know and we will work to get the answers and add it here if appropriate.

  • Fairtrade enables farmers and workers to tackle poverty and improve their financial sustainability, by creating a trade model with fairer prices and working conditions.

  • Co-Ops:
    Responsible for auditing fees.

    Distributors:
    Must pay the negotiated rate, or more, and are responsible for licensing fees to display the mark on packaging.

  • The price of cocoa beans are marked up as much as 10% premium over commodity pricing (see current rates) giving the farmers and co-ops an increase in wages.

  • With multiple people in “middle man” positions there is not always a clear/equitable distribution of additional revenues.

    If too many producers opt in, there may not be enough purchasers to ensure all crops are sold, resulting in farmers resorting to traditional commodity pricing and potentially hurting any investments made on the assumption of price.

    While they encourage sustainable agricultural practices, it is not mandatory.

  • Fairtrade serves as a beacon of hope for many farmers who have historically been cornered into accepting prices that consign them to what is globally recognized as 'Extreme Poverty.' The program has undeniably played a pivotal role in improving conditions for these farmers.

    However, for those of us in the artisan bean-to-bar sector, the relevance of Fairtrade's standard premium—at most is 10% above commodity pricing—pales in comparison to the 100%-300% premium we routinely offer. (for more info read: Towards Ethical Chocolate) This isn't merely a gesture of goodwill but a reflection of the supply-demand dynamics for high-quality cacao. Our pursuit of excellence naturally aligns us with farmers who produce exceptional cacao, and our pricing reflects both the value of their product and our commitment to ethical practices.

    Indeed, while many in our industry share a deep care for the welfare of our farmers and their communities, opting to pay above market rates isn't solely altruistic. It's also a strategic choice to sustain the quality and availability of the cacao we rely on. Even as our buying power grows, we prefer to engage in fair negotiations rather than exploit our position, aiming to support the very people and products we cherish.

    Although acquiring the Fairtrade certification and displaying its mark is often more a marketing strategy—recognizing that many consumers make purchasing decisions based on the presence of the seal—we're increasingly questioning its value relative to the cost. Our current focus is on directly educating our consumers about the economics of chocolate production and our commitment to fairness and quality, allowing us to continue supporting those on the front lines in a more tangible way.

FAIRTRADE

USDA Organic

  • USDA Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced according to the USDA organic standards. Organic production emphasizes natural processes and ingredients.

    These methods integrate cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation and genetic engineering may not be used.

  • Farms & Co-Ops
    Commitment to the practices established by USDA Organic. They must apply, be inspected, participate in a 3 year transition plan, provide ongoing evidences required and submit to annual inspections. In addition, the necessary fees associated with the application and renewals are required, but can be subsidized.

    Distributors
    Must agree to pay a the negotiated rate established and is responsible for licensing fees to display the mark on packaging.

  • The presense of the “USDA Organic” seal has given consumers a valuable tool that ensures a 3rd party has, and continues to, reviewed the farm and practices necessary for this critical insight. Consequently, through consumer demand, more farms and providers have opted to pivot to organic practices and have established healthier options more broadly available.

  • The cost of certification can often be unbearable to those who already practice organic farming methods. Practically, the 3 year “transition” forces the farmer to incur a high cost while retaining their old price in absence of the seal.

    Small family farms must collaborate and get broad buy-in to spread the cost.

  • As a business deeply rooted in the principles of functional medicine, we prioritize the health and well-being of our consumers by emphasizing the use of healthy, clean ingredients. We are committed to avoiding pesticides and other treatments incompatible with organic standards. However, the reality is that many of the smallholder farms we partner with face financial challenges that make obtaining the official "organic" seal unattainable. (there are often 100’s or 1000’s of small farms, in each region, that contribute their crop and all would need to participate).

    Achieving certification under USDA Organic standards involves a series of costly steps, including application, inspection, certification fees, annual renewals, and the continuous need for record-keeping and management adjustments. Additionally, the 100’s of small family farms must bear the expense of transition costs, consultancy fees for compliance guidance, and training for farmworkers on organic practices. These financial hurdles are significant.

    In light of these challenges, we've chosen to highlight the inherently organic practices of our cacao products; as opposed to limiting our options to those with the official certification that would allow the marketing seal. Rest assured, that farming methods are in strict adherence to the ethos of organic agriculture. Our dedication to sourcing and promoting products that embody the spirit of organic farming remains unwavering.

Cacao Price Soars

  • In early 2024, the price of raw cacao began skyrocketing to prices literally 500% more than was being paid just months prior. This trend doesn’t appear to be over and prices are expected to rise as much as 200% from the current numbers; that’s over a 1000% increase.

  • Farmers and those who have seen predatory pricing practices should begin seeing a bigger paycheck.

    The price of any chocolate confectionary will necessitate adjustment to align with rising costs.

    Farmers may opt to begin harvesting/growing sub-par cacao as anything will be purchased.

  • The evidence suggests that farmers, and those directly supporting them, are benefiting from increased wages. Some are substantial and others are as low as a 10%-12% improvement; certainly not in line with the massive price jump.

    We are pleased to say that those we work with have seen a more signifiant improvement and the bulk of this price bump has navigated it’s way back to those in most need.

  • While the price of chocolate will go up due to this, the price of cacao is still simply a piece of the cost puzzle and increasing labor costs are likely the bigger culprit in price adjustment.

    This is a very well written piece that provides more detail than we can. PLEASE take a look: The Rising Price of Cocoa

    Both the Ivory Coast and Ghana are taking this opportunity to raise farm gate prices 50%: Ghana Poised to Raise…

Sustainability

  • In the pursuit of reducing costs for consumers and maximizing profits, some businesses have adopted practices that overlook the well-being of both the people and the land crucial to food production. This approach has contributed to a cycle of extreme poverty, giving rise to numerous humanitarian and social challenges. In parallel, the once-vibrant lands, integral to maintaining a balanced ecosystem, have suffered severe degradation. Financial pressures have driven short-term decisions to fulfill immediate needs, compromising the health of the environment and the communities dependent on it for their livelihoods.

  • Because we insist on a high quality product, the ecology surrounding farm processes must not only embrace organic processes, but also include a general care for the terrior these beans are harvested in.

    We stand with the farmer and those that ultimately prepare the cacao for export. We believe it is important that they not only understand their value to us, but are treated with the dignity they deserve through compensation and other means that can help meet their needs to ensure they have the ability and support to protect the eco-system they, and we, value.

    For a more detailed look at all of this, we invite you to take a look at the Supply Chain.

Cadmium

  • In 2023, Consumer Reports penned an article that showcased potentially dangerous levels of Cadmium in dark chocolate. Their unique position as a consumer advocate with well earned trust, accelerated the conversation into broader awareness than it had previously received.

  • Yes, dark chocolate does contain cadmium. Not all bars do, but the vast majority of them.

  • Both California, through Prop 65, and the European Union have identified Cadmium as a compound we should limit our intake of due to possible health concerns.

    Prop 65 (California)

    Prop 65 is a proposition that requires producers to label products that exceed identified safe minimums, with chemicals or compounds that exist in their products, to help consumers avoid risks of cancer and birth defects.

    They have identified Cadmium as something we can ingest at 4.1 mcg/day to be safe; this number, as with all their numbers, reflects 1/1000 of the daily quantity that is shown, or assumed, to establish risk. If your number exceeds 4.1 mcg, you must include the Prop 65 label to sell in California.

    European Union

    The EU has taken a different approach and rather than a warning, prohibits sales of products containing identified safe levels. For cadmium it is 0.8 mg/kilo.

  • It is a natural mineral found in dirt, that is absorbed into the cacao tree and makes its way into the pods and cacao beans.

    It tends to be higher in new farms where the dirt hadn’t be tilled prior. So in very broad generalities we can say that it tends to be higher in South America than Africa, but that doesn’t mean either can’t be a source of cadmium or completely free of it.

  • Since it’s not anything you can easily remove, cacao producers instead work to minimize it. They routinely check their cadmium levels due to their inability to sell in Europe without evidence of safety. This will lead to two primary methods of mitigation:

    Dilute- cacao found to have high levels with neighboring beans having low levels to align with safety markers.

    Lime- their soil to increase acidity which greatly reduces cadmium transference into the produce.

  • We understand that choosing foods that are right for you and your family involves having the right information. When it comes to cadmium in dark chocolate, we believe it's essential you have the facts to make an informed decision.

    It's our perspective that the concerns regarding cadmium levels in dark chocolate have been somewhat exaggerated. Restricting our selection to only cadmium-free cocoa beans would significantly limit the variety and quality of our products. Cadmium is naturally present in many foods that form part of a balanced diet. In fact, cadmium is present in many other foods including: cereals and breads, leafy and root/stem vegetables, potatoes, and a combination of legumes and nuts. In comparison, the amount of cadmium you would consume from dark chocolate is considerably less than these. When you consider the incredible health benefits tied to high cocoa content, it feels like you would be “throwing the baby out with the bathwater”.

    Considering the guidelines set by California's Proposition 65 and the European Union, the levels of cadmium in our chocolate are within a range that is not deemed actively concerning. Proposition 65's safety level is set at a threshold that is 1/1000th of the amount deemed to have no observable effect. This means one would need to consume nearly 500 ounces of the most egregious chocolate in a single day to reach a potentially unsafe cadmium level—far beyond typical consumption patterns.

    Our commitment to your health and satisfaction is paramount. We continue to adhere to strict safety standards and transparently share information so you can make choices that align with your preferences and health considerations.

Do you have Insights to share?

At Flight Chocolate, transparency isn't just a policy; it's our foundation. We understand that knowledge evolves, and new insights can illuminate or refine our understanding. Perhaps there's something we've overlooked or misunderstood. If you possess information that might enrich or correct any aspect of our discussions, we warmly invite you to share it with us. Please provide as much detail and source information as possible to aid in our pursuit of truth over agenda. Your contributions are invaluable in navigating the complexities of information. Thank you for helping us ensure that our insights and actions reflect the most accurate and updated knowledge available