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NATIVO'S MOVEMENT

The Movement

We strive to source cacao and chocolate directly from producers/partners that have the potential to, or currently provide/manufacture a final product of the highest quality at the origin. The majority of the added value of a product comes not from the raw materials themselves, but rather from the processing of those materials. The value in chocolate is in the finished bar or confection, not in the beans. By selling the beans and having the cacao processed elsewhere, producers see only a fraction of what they might receive if they processed the beans themselves. This means that if producers can integrate vertically, and create the infrastructure for quality production onsite, at point of origin, far greater value can be realized for producers. This helps maintain the majority of the resources and labor at origin, helping to put an end to the linear extractive model currently in place, instead embracing a circular economy system.
   

The Impact

We see farmers and makers as true partners and want to ensure those who do the hard work of growing, harvesting, and processing cacao are equally compensated. We believe that this direct partnership will improve living conditions, helping facilitate growth in currently impoverished communities and supporting their ability to thrive in all aspects of human development and environmental sustainability. We believe the time is right to raise awareness regarding the effects of sourcing raw materials (i.e. cacao) from developing nations and the role consumers can play in helping solve this problem, a problem that eventually affects us all as when these farmers need to leave their origins to pursue happiness in other places (cities, countries, regions). At THRIVU Chocolate we’re dedicated to being part of the solution.

 

Our Goals 

Our goal is to start a movement to change the way we buy our final products to a model where there is a fair distribution of the added value by keeping manufacturing at origin. This way we can increase the impact that our purchases have on the places that produce these superfoods and create a ripple effect that expands to other products. This is an effort to replenish social and environmental resources to start the true regeneration of our planet. The first three stages are outlined below. 

Stage 1

First, we will work with chocolate manufacturers that are sourcing their cacao directly from/or are the producers, to ensure fair compensated. This allows us to have a direct impact in the producers’ communities. Initially, we will source our chocolate from selected countries that represent the center of origin/biodiversity of cacao (Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil), and which use specialty and other unique heirloom varieties such as the aromatic  fine cacao Nacional. In each of these countries we will form alliances with producers’ associations that are progressive and invested in community wellbeing. The impact that this has is threefold and aligns with our core values which are to be:

  1. Agroecological (supporting preservation and regeneration of ecosystems)
  2. Socially responsible (ethical production, allowing all value chain participants to be compensated directly in a truly fair manner)
  3. Holistic (striving for quality nutritious ingredients coming from healthy soils which results in healthy plants, animals, humans, and our planet).

Keeping manufacturing at origin also reduces transportation and carbon footprint costs, as well as waste. Of a total shipment, 20% to 30% are shipping materials discarded upon arrival at manufacturing sites outside of origin. Moreover, selecting and influencing bean quality (flavor, aroma, microbiology, heavy metal content) through improved and customized practices (fermentation, drying) can be directly improved when occurring at origin. In the future, we see that production at origin will represent the main manufacturing trend with all these amazing advantages.    

   

Stage 2

The second stage of our movement is to manufacture our own chocolate. Chocolate is the best example of the melting of our worlds (developing and industrial), mingling together to create pure pleasure. We will continue to partner with cacao producers at origin, and engage in profit-sharing with producers, foundations (offsetting carbon footprint; every chocolate you buy we contribute to preserving the Amazon rainforest), and cultural influencers (i.e. musicians that represent ancestral heritage that are being lost coming from the same origins as our cacao). However, we will also build manufacturing capabilities here in Traverse City Michigan, using beans from these amazing sources. Our aim is to raise awareness and educate our customers and community about the complex process that is chocolate making and how the decisions they make about the foods they consume can both impact others and align with their values.

Stage 3

In Stage 3, we come full circle and become one of these beautiful companies manufacturing at origin, regenerating environments, empowering communities, and contributing to our planet's ability to thrive. 

 

Welcome to our THRIVU Â