The donation came from sales of limited edition ‘International Year of Co-ops’ chocolate bars at food co-ops this fall, which were produced by Seattle-based Theo Chocolate, Inc., the first U.S. bean-to-bar maker of organic, Fair Trade and Fair for Life certified chocolate.
Privately held Theo, which operates the nation’s only organic, fair trade bean-to-bar chocolate factory, uses only organic, fair trade certified and NON-GMO project verified ingredients, while actively partnering with farmers and engaging their own community.
Iowa City, Iowa-based NCGA is a business services co-op, whose member and associate co-ops operate over 165 storefronts with combined annual sales over $1.4 billion.
The donation will directly support the co-ops that produced cocoa for the bars: Fortaleza del Valle cocoa cooperative in Ecuador and the CEPICAFE cocoa cooperative in Peru.
Funds will be used to address a variety of community needs, including governance, health and education, empowering farmers, and quality and yield improvements.
The chocolate bars are organic and fair trade certified, and come in 85% dark and 45% milk chocolate varieties. Bars are being sold at a suggested retail price of $3.99 and may still be available while supplies last.
NCGA’s members and the cocoa co-ops are part of a growing cooperative business movement recognized this year in what United Nations has declared the International Year of Cooperatives. Across the world, co-ops have joined the United Nations in educating consumers and celebrating the economic, social and environmental contributions of co-op businesses.
“We're proud to celebrate the International Year of Cooperatives with our members and shoppers, and thrilled to support these farmer co-ops who are working to provide living wages and promote the health of our planet through organic growing practices,” said Robynn Shrader, chief executive officer for NCGA.
In related news, the 128 members of NCGA voted earlier this month to change its articles of incorporation earning it certification as a B Corporation.
Berwyn, Pa.-based B Lab, a nonprofit, certifies B Corporations the same way Fair Trade USA certifies Fair Trade coffee or the U.S. Green Building Council certifies LEED buildings.
B Lab lists NCGA as being certified in October 2011, but a NCGA spokesperson said Tuesday that last week's vote was "the final step" in the certification process.
NCGA joins more than 650 companies worldwide that have met and adopted the rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency required of all B Corps.
Certified B Corporations commit to conducting business for the benefit of people and the environment, with products and services that promote sustainability and transparency.
To become a certified B Corporation, a company must amend its articles of incorporation to say that managers must consider the interests of employees, the community, and the environment instead of worrying solely about shareholders.
"Co-ops like ours are rooted in values of self-responsibility, democracy, community and social responsibility, and are a powerful economic force through which we can shape and ensure a sustainable food system, fair treatment of people, and a healthy environment,” said Robynn Shrader, CEO for NCGA.
"Unlike conventional grocers, food co-ops are owned and governed by member-shoppers," NCGA said. "Because of these principles and practices, food co-ops inherently serve and benefit the communities where they are located."
The group cited a study it released earlier this year that found for every dollar spent at a food co-op, $0.38 is reinvested in the local economy compared to $0.24 at conventional grocers.
