The Cacao Ambassador's vision is four fold...
Our
vision
1.
Nourishing, empowering and caring for the Cacao growing communities through the Pacific, specifically working on the ground and finding real solutions for empowerment, upliftment and support with health, sustainability and overall well being of farming communities. This is expanded below.
2.
Educating, inspiring and bringing joy to New Zealanders and the world of consumers, in how to use Cacao, especially the cacao beans, on a daily basis for culinary enjoyment, creativity, for health, mental wellness, mindfulness and joy.
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This includes closing the gap between consumers and the farmers, so real knowledge, real connection and inspiration flows between the farmer and the enjoyer of chocolate, the consumer. This in time will include tours and retreats within the growing communities. This education builds a deep connection for the consumer with Cacao in supporting body, mind and spirit.
3.
Building Community through Cacao - this is the creation of physical spaces for beings who love, are inspired and want to connect through Cacao. A space to come and drink the true drink of cacao, not only as a drink but as a way of life and as way to be in community and to be part of something bigger, that serves real change within and thoughout.
4.
Changing the chocolate industry, in the creation of chocolate, made from Pacific Islands beans, that is transparent, sources direct from the farmers, transforms the practices in the chocolate industry and produces a high end volume chocolate that is also healthy. This real change happens in the Chocolate industry.
Cacao 380 means True care for and going even further then 360 degrees!
The village, the farm and that every family are truly cared for in growing cacao. In this they earn an income that supports their family in a way that allows for education of the whole family, reinvestment in their farm, and education in nutrition, health, sanitisation, and enjoy a sustainable life. They grow in their connection with Cacao in how to use it on a daily basis as an ingredient in their home. They learn how to prepare it to sell it to a local market.
The program is unique in how it supports each village and country, determind by the culture and the local traditions and the local need.
The program empowers the women on the ground in the farms and in the village and creates sustainable lives for teenagers to enjoy the farm and village life.
Cacao 380 then extends to educating consumers on the origin of cacao used in any chocolate by the chocolate company, where it is sourced, how it is grown, the farmers life. It declutters the myth and fog in the industry so real questions can be asked and understood in terms how chocolate companies source their Cacao.
To use this symbol a company must:
1)Meet the support required of the farmers
2)Communicate clearly with the consumer.
This is why its Cacao 380, a full heart based circle where all is cared for..From the earth, the trees, the farming communities to the consumer. The information is accurate, clear and transparent!
A key part of the vision is Cacao 380
Cacao 380 is a new symbol that will come to life over the coming two years, that is more then fair trade, more then organic, more then farm to table!
It is about true support, empowerment education and love from the farmers of Cacao to the consumer. All aspects cared for in the biggest possible way!
It is about changing the chocolate industry so when a consumer enjoys a piece of chocolate, it is known and transparent, every step of the care taken by all involved.
The Cacao Ambassadors vision and work in more detail with the Cacao growing Communites:
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1)Working globally on the importance of Cacao Farmers using Cacao on a daily bases as part of their lives. This is a simple and yet fundamental step in ensuring:
-They are connected with their crop
- Breaking the pattern where the farmer assumes cacao is only for export and for chocolate.
-The cacao farmers family’s health is supported.
-The quality of the crop improves because it is being used by the farmer and the family understand quality Cacao in a new way.
-The local market is established and thriving for Cacao
-New ways for using Cacao is created and the current dominant confectionery bulk market no longer has the power it currently has over the farmers.
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2)Creates a way for local women to become inspired with Cacao and develop new products with it. To be able to see it as a premium source of nourishment for their families and can generate income from selling in the local market that sustains the family in a new way.
3)Educates Cacao farmers globally about Cacao to inspire and build the connection with their crop and a new passion for farming Cacao
4)Create inspirational ways so that young people start to return to their farms and to CACAO such as solar powered equipment and training.
5)Encourage organic and shade grown Cacao to support the environment
6)Support and encourage Eco tourism to the Cacao regions to provide a new source of income and support all of the above.
7)Development of Cacao for mental wellness in the mainstream industry, especially for Women and Teenagers
8)Educates Consumers around New Zealand and the world on Cacao, its health benefits and how to use it as a daily food and even how to make chocolate at home.
9)Grows new markets for Cacao for the farmers such as consumer direct for when consumers are using it daily, the farmers have a new market and sales are not just limited to chocolate companies.
