March is always a special month for us at Bennetto Natural Foods as we celebrate B Corp Month and also International Women’s Day!
Let’s wrap up the month of March by focusing on the women in the chocolate industry and look at how we support gender equality in the workplace - from cocoa farms, all the way to our office.
Women in Cocoa Farming and the Chocolate Industry
Like many industries, cocoa farming has historically been male-dominated, but women play an essential role in growing, harvesting, and processing cocoa, not to mention the day-to-day operations of cocoa farming businesses, and the businesses that take the cocoa through every step from bean to bar.
As a female-founded company with a predominately female team, we are proud to celebrate the women who make ethical chocolate possible, from cocoa farmers to logistics teams and everyone in between.
Gender equality in the chocolate industry
We believe that every bird deserves a perch at the table. While cocoa farming is essential to the production of chocolate, it’s only the first step in a long line of production, and we firmly believe that every woman along the journey from bean to bar deserves to be treated fairly.
Gender bias in the workforce is a complex and ever-evolving challenge. At Bennetto we don’t pretend to have all of the solutions, however, by being certified Fairtrade and B Corp, we hold ourselves accountable to do whatever we can to combat inequality for women and for minorities all over the world. One of the ways we do this is by carefully choosing partners who share our value of equality, this an essential part of ensuring that we can continue to walk the squawk.
Our partners
We partner with HALBA for the manufacturing of our chocolate. HALBA is a business that shares our values and also prioritises sustainability and equality. HALBA's 2023 Sustainability Report showed that they achieved gender parity (51% women) across their management team.
Where we can, we buy from women-led cocoa farms too!
Women in cocoa farming
Cocoa farmers work extremely hard, under grueling conditions, yet many do not earn a living income. According to Fairtrade UK, on average, cocoa farmers earn just 6% of the final value of a bar of chocolate! In West Africa, where over 60% of the world's cocoa is grown, the average cocoa farmer in 2023 earned approximately $0.78 per day - well below the World Bank's extreme poverty line of $2.15 per day. Women farmers often earn even less, with studies showing a gender income gap of 25-35% in cocoa-producing regions.
What the flock?!
As a B Corp-certified business, we don’t think that’s good enough! Since Lucy Bennetto first started making chocolate, Bennetto has been a business on a mission to craft dark chocolate that is produced fairly every step of the way.
Unsustainable farming practices and unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change have made it more difficult to maintain steady yields, and many cocoa farmers don’t have the resources to rebuild their businesses in the wake of the cocoa crisis.
We choose Fairtrade as they set social, economic and environmental standards for both companies and cocoa farmers and workers. For companies, that includes paying a fair price for the produce, for farmers, it includes workers’ rights and learning how to future-proof their farms for generations to come. In short, Fairtrade means that the whole flock wins!
Fairtrade for women
Despite their crucial contributions, the International Cocoa Initiative found that only 25% of women in cocoa-growing regions have land ownership rights, and less than 5% are officially registered as farm owners, limiting their decision-making power and access to resources.
One of the ways we support women in cocoa farming is through the Fairtrade Premium. This extra money, paid on top of the purchase price, has funded over 240 women-focused community development projects in cocoa-growing regions since 2018. These projects, including maternal health clinics, clean water initiatives, and microloan programs, are specifically designed to empower women entrepreneurs. Fairtrade's investment in women's education and leadership programs further provides opportunities for women to access financial training, leadership development, and business networks; helping them take charge of their own futures.
This aligns with our core belief that good chocolate is about more than just ingredients, it’s about people. When women farmers are empowered through these sustainable farming methods, they can build resilient communities and create lasting change for future generations.
Our team
While it’s important to keep the bigger picture in mind, we know that we also have to take care of our own backyard too. Bennetto is proudly female-founded and led and we know that ethical business and sustainability go hand in hand with gender equality in every corner of the world.
Here in New Zealand, Bennetto is made up of a small team of women, led by our company’s namesake, Lucy Bennetto. We’re a team of passionate chocolate lovers, creatives, and problem-solvers, each bringing our unique talents to the table. From crafting delicious recipes to ensuring your experience as a customer is wonderful every step of the way, we pour our chocolate-loving hearts into everything we do!
Celebrating women every day of the year!
By choosing Fairtrade and purchasing chocolate from a traceable supply chain, you’re not just indulging in something delicious - you’re helping to create real opportunities for women around the world.
Why not tweet yourself and make a difference? Shop Bennetto chocolate online or at your local stockist.
