Ben & Jerry’s and Tony’s Chocolonely are working to end modern slavery and child labour in the chocolate industry, releasing three new chocolate treats made with cocoa beans sourced through Tony’s Open Chain.
Tony’s Open Chain assists companies to take steps to end modern slavery and child labour in the chocolate industry. In partnership, Ben & Jerry’s will begin transitioning its ice cream portfolio to Tony’s Open Chain.
Ben & Jerry’s currently pays farmers a Fairtrade Premium for cocoa beans through an ongoing partnership with Fairtrade, and also pays a Living Income Reference Price. As part of Tony's Open Chain, Ben & Jerry’s will now also commit to Tony's 5 Sourcing Principles which means, among other things, supporting traceability of cocoa supply.
As part of Tony’s Open Chain and by beginning a conversion to buy cocoa directly from eight partner co-operatives in Côte d’Ivoire, Ben & Jerry’s will know which farmers produce the beans that go into its ice cream, but also under which social and environmental circumstances they were grown, giving full traceability and transparency of the cocoa supply chain.
Ben & Jerry’s global head of values-led sourcing Cheryl Pinto said the company first partnered with Fairtrade co-ops in Côte d’Ivoire seven years ago.
“This is a milestone in our cocoa journey to amplify our commitment to farmers, equity, and ethical sourcing.
“Tony’s Open Chain enables us to combine traceability with sourcing principles that naturally align to Ben & Jerry’s mission of supporting cocoa farmers to meet high standards on social and environmental practices which advance dignified livelihoods and strengthen their co-operatives,” said Pinto.
Three new chocolate treats have made using cocoa beans sourced through Tony’s Open Chain: Tony's Chocolate Love A-Fair, two sweet new Tony’s bars inspired by two classic Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavours, and Ben & Jerry’s Chocolatey Love A-Fair ice cream, all available in major grocery, convenience and petrol stations for RRP $14.50. Tony’s Chocolate Love A-Fair chocolate bars are available in select retailers at an RRP of $8.95.
