Confectionary brand Ferrero has announced the achievement of their 2020 goal which sees the company sourcing 100 per cent of their cocoa sustainably. This was achieved through utilisation of certification bodies and independently managed standards such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance (UTZ).
Ferraro first created the goal of sourcing 100 per cent sustainable cocoa in 2011 citing the company wanted to improve cocoa farmers living conditions and company sustainability practices. In 2019 they included chocolate sourced from third parties into their target scope.
In the 2019/2020 crop season, Ferraro was able to track 95 per cent of all cocoa beans back to the farms. Part of this tracing, said Ferraro, included mapping the farmers in their supply chain to help prevent deforestation and ensure that the farming groups had access to systems such as Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation systems.
“We continue to address the crucial human rights issues around our supply chains and to strengthen our due diligence,” said Marco Gonçalves, chief procurement and hazelnut company officer.
This comes alongside news of Ferrero’s decision to renew their partnership with Save the Children after recent completion of the three year-programme. The programme was initially launched in 2017 and focused on 20 communities within Côte D’Ivoire.
“Child labour in cocoa growing communities remains a significant issue, and we’re determined to go further to meet the challenge,” said Gonçalves. “That is why I am so pleased that we are extending our partnership with Save the Children with a particular focus on prevention to grow our impact on this issue. That way we can help drive meaningful long- term change, not only in our direct supply chain but also beyond.”
This new partnership is expected to last five years, with the project funding equating to approximately $14 million. It will see activities increasing in size across 65 communities in the Ivorian Haut- Sassandra, a region where Ferrero sources a significant portion of its cocoa.
The project is expected to directly benefit 37,000 children and adults through improving child protection services, increasing access to education and nutrition as well as supporting woman and adolescent empowerment and community development.