Poverty

Consumers are increasingly opting for cashews and hazelnuts for their taste and perceived nutritional benefits, yet the farmers producing these nuts don’t always have the means to meet their own health and nutrition needs. Pic: ofi

ofi ticks up the milestones in first Nuts Trails impact report

By Gill Hyslop

The global ingredients supplier provided health and nutrition support for 105,000 people in its cashew and hazelnut supply chains last year - one of several achievements listed in its impact report that looks back over the past 12 months.

If certfication can't bring farmers out poverty, can it be called truly sustainable?

Mini-documentary

Fair game: How effective is cocoa certification?

By Oliver Nieburg

Sourcing to fair trade standards, such as UTZ, Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade, is an important first step for chocolate makers towards cocoa sustainability, but will not necessarily bring farmers out of extreme poverty, say supply chain actors.

750,000 cocoa farmer members now part of merged body the World Cocoa Farmers Organization (WCFO). ©iStock/Vectoraart

'Unified voice': Two cocoa farmer organizations merge

By Oliver Nieburg

The World Cocoa Farmers Organization (WCFO) and The International CoCoa Farmers Organization (ICCFO) have merged and are urging the cocoa and chocolate industry to support efforts to group farmers to ensure traceability.

 ‘Forever Chocolate’ strategy will make sustainable chocolate the norm, says Barry Callebaut

Child labor eradication pledge

Barry Callebaut sets 2025 target for sustainable cocoa

By Oliver Nieburg

Barry Callebaut has pledged to bring 500,000 cocoa farmers out of extreme poverty and eradicate child labor in its supply chain under an initiative to source fully sustainable cocoa by 2025.

Sugar tax one step closer to implementation in Thailand

Dateline Southeast Asia

Sugar tax one step closer to implementation in Thailand

By RJ Whitehead

Soft drinks could cost up to 25% more in Thailand after the National Reform Steering Assembly’s health panel approved by 153 votes to two a proposal to increase taxes for non-alcoholic drinks with high content of sugar.

90% missed: Half a century to reach forgotten cocoa farming majority unless industry sources directly and talks price, says ICCFO

‘You can’t say you’re sustainable when you’re not reaching the majority,’ says cocoa farmer body

Cocoa sustainability to take 50 more years without step change: ICCFO

By Oliver Nieburg

The International Cocoa Farmers Organization has called on the chocolate industry to directly source from cocoa farmers and support efforts to reach 90% of farmers it says have been neglected in cocoa sustainability plans.