Several of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers announced plans Thursday to incorporate the TogetherCocoa foundation, a joint initiative aimed at supporting cocoa farming households in West Africa.
Mars Inc., Lindt & Sprüngli, Mondelēz International, Nestlé and The Hershey Co. said the foundation will build on existing company efforts to help close the living income gap for cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana and strengthen the long-term resilience of the cocoa supply chain.
The companies said the foundation is in its early stages, and additional details will be released as the initiative develops.
According to the announcement, the initiative will focus on driving industry-wide collaboration while continuing engagement with the governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, supply chain partners and other stakeholders.
The companies said they will continue implementing their individual sustainability strategies alongside participation in the new foundation. Those efforts include programs such as Women for Change, the Livelihoods Ecosystem Advancement Program, Cocoa Yiedie and the Advancing Cocoa Agroforestry Towards Income, Value, and Environmental Sustainability initiative.
The companies said those programs are designed to help address farmer household income challenges and promote broader sustainability goals within cocoa-growing communities.
Officials said the foundation aims to support cocoa farming communities while helping ensure long-term stability in the global cocoa supply chain.
