22 | Cocoa improvement project ‘life changing’ from page 21 Wellington: Whittaker’s REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT At Niche Commercial we pride ourselves on using innovative techniques, making challenging jobs easy and building honest relationships with our clients. CONTACT US Troy | 021 462 329 | www.nichecommercial.co.nz 19 Peterkin St, Wingate, Lower Hutt | +64 4 567 0352 | info@afwarehouse.co.nz WAREHOUSING • TRANSPORT • CONTAINER HANDLING Proudly supplying third-party logistics (3PL) to JH Whittaker “At Whittaker’s, we’re focused on using high quality, locally sourced ingredients. In Samoa where the cocoa beans have a distinctive flavour and due to its proximity means we can have a direct relationship with cocoa farmers,” explains James. Tuipai Saleimoa Vaa’i (Sale), managing director of local partner Samoan cocoa supplier Savai’i Koko, says that the programme has been life changing for many Samoans and for Samoa. “The partnership has enabled us to do more social impact work and has raised awareness and enthusiasm among farmers now they can earn money from cocoa. “Providing a consistent and steady income to farmers benefits our rural communities and makes an important contribution to Samoa’s economy through export growth,” he says. It also helped lead to the development of a new Whittaker’s chocolate range - Whittaker’s Artisan and Cocoa Lovers Collection. The range of 100g blocks is for chocolate lovers seeking that little bit of luxury, featuring local ingredients sourced from equally passionate artisan producers around New Zealand and the Pacific. The Artisan Collection range includes Marlborough Sea Salt and Caramel Brittle in 33% cocoa Milk Chocolate and Hawke’s Bay Black Doris Plum in 62% Dark Chocolate. The Cocoa Lovers Collection starts with the Single Origin Samoan 70% Cacoa up to the Single Origin 92% Ghanaian Dark Chocolate. Holly says that the collaboration with artisan producers from across New Zealand and the Pacific further reflects Whittaker’s commitment to sustainability and to producing only chocolate of the highest quality. “We have so many fantastic artisan producers right on our doorstep. “We also have a lot in common with the artisan producers involved – many are family-owned and operated, and all are dedicated to creating the finest quality produce, from start to finish.” This focus on local and sustainable action was also underpinned when in 2020 Whittaker’s announced that its entire range of 116 products that are crafted with Ghanaian cocoa beans was 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified under the World Cocoa Foundation’s Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI). “This is also the result of the global supply chain adapting to meet consumer expectations in this regard, says James. “There are also no GM ingredients in our chocolate and it is palm oil free. We’re committed to 100% full traceability for all cocoa beans that we use by 2025. “We have 100% full traceability of the small amount of speciality cocoa beans we source from Samoa and Nicaragua and since 2022, we’re now fully traceable in our cocoa beans with 100% of our Ghanaian cocoa beans now fully traceable to Identity Preserved level. “It’s all just another part of making Good Honest Chocolate.”
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