Ethically-sourced cacoa, transparency, and traceability are important to fine chocolate consumers, show the findings of the Fine Chocolate Industry Association's new research, with the majority of the segment (70 percent) looking for transparency in production processes and 71 percent valuing traceability of ingredients.
The FCIA defines Traceability as a physical map of the process from grower to chocolate maker, empowering and celebrating each actor in the value chain. Transparency is the willingness to share that map, which fosters collaboration, it says.
These values are key diffentiators that highlight the interconnectedness of the fine chocolate ecosystem and give the consumer the information to make a well-informed purchase.
FCIA member Matt Caputo, an importer and distributor of over 60 craft chocolate brands for A Priori Specialty Foods, as well as the president and CEO of Caputo's Market & Deli in Salt Lake City, Utah, will dig into the details of the report during the session Fine Chocolate Trends and Marketing Strategies for Specialty Food Retailers at the Fancy Food Show, today at 2 p.m. This session is open to all Show attendees.
The FICA's global reach is reflected by its member companies from Colombia, Brazil, and France exhibiting at the show. They include:
• Lök Foods, booth #1334: From the Colombian rainforest, Lök Foods uses fine flavor cacao, which guarantees the distinctive taste and texture of its chocolate.
• Mission Chocolate, booth #1335: Mission Chocolate has won the most awards for its Brazil Biomes collection, a series of chocolates that highlight rare, endangered, wild, and unique fruits and seeds that are native to Brazil. It’s also a minority, woman-owned business.
• Valrhona Chocolate, booth #1433: Valrhona is a B Corp.-certified company that meets rigorous standards of performance, accountability, and transparency in both social and environmental concerns.
Related: Fancy Food Education Preview: Trends in Fine Chocolate; Valentine’s Day to Benefit From Record-Setting Confectionery Growth.