Building Stronger Communities with Fair Trade Microgrants

Dare to do better. Better for the people. Better for the planet. Better for all. That’s our goal. With Project Tocache, we funded a much-need infrastructure program to bring clean water to cacao farming communities in Peru. This year, we’re proud to donate 1 % of sales from our Signature Bar Line to build stronger cacao growing communities with a new microgrants program with Fair Trade USA™.

The fair trade difference

Building stronger socially and environmentally sustainable communities, both locally and globally, is one of our core values. The cocoa industry has a dark history fraught with unsustainable farming practices, child labor, slave labor, and poverty, with many cacao farmers earning only a few dollars a day. 

Making chocolate is hard work. If we don’t take steps to fix the current status quo, there won’t be a future with chocolate. For the past 20+ years, we’ve proudly partnered with Fair Trade USA™ to foster social and environmentally sustainable development for farming communities.

“By ensuring 100% of Lake Champlain Chocolates is Fair Trade Certified, LCC is joins Fair Trade USA™ in revolutionizing responsible business, conscious consumerism, and shared value to eliminate poverty and foster sustainable development for farmers, workers, their families, and communities globally.”  - Fair Trade USA™

A new microgrants program

This year, we are proud to expand our partnership with Fair Trade USA™ and pioneer a new microgrants program. As part of this revolutionary new program, we will donate 1% of sales from our Signature Bar line directly to cacao, sugar, and vanilla farming communities. These micro-grants will go above and beyond the fair trade Community Development Funds, and allow farming communities access to money to build schools, bring clean water to their villages, or build healthcare facilities (just to name a few).

Micro-grants will allow farming communities and workers to collectively decide on which development project address their community’s greatest needs and then give them access to additional financial resources to complete these much-needed projects sooner.

Let chocolate change your world™

Over the next year our goal is to offer targeted support for essential development needs related to the environment, water, sanitation, and women's empowerment by providing additional financial resources to minority groups with disproportionate access to funding.  By layering micro-grants on top of Community Development funds provided in the fair trade model, we aim to bridge the gap between current realities and the vision to ensure a sustainable future for farmers.

“By providing additional financial resources, farmers can invest in practices and infrastructure that will dramatically impact the health of their local community environment, enhancing their ability to remain on their land and care for their families.”  - Fair Trade USA™

Micro-grants will allow communities to address real challenges in their daily lives. This new initiative supports immediate improvements and fosters sustainable farming practices, which will ultimately contribute to a more equitable and resilient agricultural system. Check back regularly for updates on how this new program is building a stronger future (filled with gourmet chocolate) for all!