We make beautiful organic chocolate with a 'less is better' approach to ingredients and processors and a 'more is better' approach to thoughtfulness, quality, and transparency.
We believe in quality over quantity, using fewer ingredients and saying no to additives that are not necessary to make good chocolate like chemicals, emulsifiers and animal products - including milk.
We call this good old attention to detail and generations of Swiss expertise in chocolate craft. It's all part of our mission to change how you see chocolate – from 'junk food' to 'better food', packing a punch with a high cocoa content of 60% and more and clean, traceable ingredients.
We make it all happen in our carbon-neutral factory because being a Net Climate Positive Brand, B-Corp Certified, and a living wage accredited employer is all part of creating beautiful chocolate inside and out.
Bennetto Natural Foods was founded in 2010 by Lucy Bennetto, a high school English and Drama teacher with a passion for chocolate. What began on a kitchen bench with a spice grinder, organic cocoa beans, and a group of willing student taste-testers quickly grew into something much bigger.
A pivotal trip to the Dominican Republic revealed the real impact of organic farming and Fairtrade partnerships on cocoa-growing communities. From that moment, ethical sourcing became non-negotiable, shaping both the flavour and the purpose behind every bar.
Today, more than a decade on, Bennetto continues to craft organic, Fairtrade chocolate rooted in those same values of quality, transparency, and care for people and planet. Product development still begins in Christchurch, where the brand started, while sustainable manufacturing partnerships allow the chocolate to be enjoyed across New Zealand, Australia, and now Europe and the UK.
Lucy’s vision remains clear: to use Bennetto as a platform for positive social and environmental impact.
Want to learn more about our founder? Read Lucy’s interview below.
