Toledo Cacao Growers Association, Belize
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Since I knew that Fair Trade would pay a good price for my cacao beans, I have planted more trees. More trees means more beans and more money. I have two daughters in school and the new trees planted four years ago are already bearing enough to pay their school fees.
--- Ignacio Ash, Toledo Cacao Growers Member The Toledo Cacao Growers Association (TCGA) was born out of a 1986 USAID development project that provided hybrid cacao plants to the southern Belizean Ke'kchi and Mopan Mayan cocoa growers and fostered sales to Hershey Foods. The farmers traditionally grew cacao to prepare chocolatl, a spicy cacao drink used in religious rituals. The partnership was successful until cocoa market prices plummeted and harvesting cocoa became entirely unprofitable for the farmers.
Today, TCGA stands on its own as a nonprofit business association in the most impoverished and underdeveloped jungle communities of Belize. Luckily for chocolate connoisseurs, the 750 cacao farmers have returned to cultivating their native Criollo plant, the highest quality cocoa beans that are native to Central America. TCGA's 100 percent organic, shade-grown and composting practices demonstrate their strong commitment to sustainable agriculture and complement their commitment to quality.
In 1997, TCGA became the first cocoa cooperative to become Fair Trade Certified by Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO).
The Fair Trade premium has enabled Toledo Cacao Growers Association to establish various social and productive programs.
Education:
Using Fair Trade premium funds, TCGA created a scholarship program that allows farmers' children to attend high school.
Productive Investment:
The TCGA has funded technical workshops focused on pest control, organic cocoa production and shade growing. Co-op members have installed compost systems in which they use organic material to nourish the soil.
Environment:
The co-op broadcasts weekly radio programs to encourage their members to plant more indigenous Criollo trees. |
Fair Trade Cocoa 
