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Thoughtful Values

Food Thoughts is home to the UK’s first ever Fairly Traded cocoa powder. We grew from an Oxfam initiative. So ethics aren’t just an added extra for us – they’re the reason we exist. All of our products are sustainably grown, ethically sourced, and of high quality standards. They always have been and they always will be.

Ethical sourcing, real impact

At Food Thoughts, we work with two trusted suppliers who share our commitment to fair trade, sustainability, and long-term farmer support.

Dominican Republic: Our organic cocoa and cacao powders come from a supplier dedicated to sustainable farming, ensuring ethical sourcing at every step.

Colombia: Our chocolate chips and cacao nibs are sourced from a B Corp-certified, family-run supplier that has been supporting cocoa farmers since 1906.

Both partners go beyond fair trade standards, actively improving the lives of farming communities through:

Training programmes to enhance sustainable farming practices
Infrastructure projects such as aqueducts, roads, and schools
Community support—distributing educational resources, toys, and reinforcing human rights

For farmers, long-term relationships mean stability, allowing them to plan for the future and invest in their communities. We’re proud to work with suppliers who make a real difference.

👉 Read more about our suppliers here

Tackling child labour in cocoa farming

Child labour remains a serious issue in the cocoa industry, particularly in West Africa. At Food Thoughts, we source our cocoa from the Dominican Republic and Colombia, where the risk of child labour is significantly lower.

However, we don’t take anything for granted. Both of our suppliers have strict processes in place to prevent child and forced labour, ensuring ethical working conditions at every stage. By paying farmers a fairer price for their cocoa, they can invest in their families and communities—making it more likely that children are in school, not in the fields.

We believe that great chocolate should never come at a human cost.

Sustainability and responsible sourcing

All of our packaging is fully recyclable—most of it can go straight into your household recycling bin for council collection.

Our cocoa and cacao powders are 100% organic and certified by the Soil Association. The cocoa beans for our other products are mainly grown by small-scale farmers, with the average Colombian farm covering just three hectares. While many of these farmers are not yet able to commit to organic certification, they receive training in Good Agricultural Practices, helping them improve soil health, protect water sources, and adopt responsible agroforestry methods.

Our suppliers are also actively involved in reforestation efforts, supporting the planting of 600,000 new trees as of 2023. Sustainability is a journey, and we’re committed to making choices that benefit both people and the planet.