Baker Goedhart remains committed to chocolate with Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance certifications
At Bakker Goedhart, we use enormous quantities of cocoa and chocolate in our patisserie every year. As an ingredient in Dubai 'vlaaien', in Cut the Cake's Cheeky Chocolate cake, and as decoration on many other pastries. Because we strive to offer the best quality patisserie, with an eye for people and the environment, Goedhart Patisserie uses Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa, which is subject to strict requirements, in its bakeries in Panningen and Sevenum. And we will continue to adhere to this, even with rising prices.
Cocoa and Chocolate Prices Rising
In recent years, the prices of cocoa and chocolate have risen significantly. Failed harvests in key producing countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast, due to climate change, diseases, and aging cocoa trees, led to scarcity. Scarcity, in turn, drives up prices. Furthermore, the requirements for cocoa traceability and sustainability have been tightened. As a result, producers must invest in traceability systems and certifications. And that also costs money.
Impact on the Prices of Our Products
This means we are paying more for our chocolate. Despite these higher costs, we remain committed to our choice of certified cocoa and chocolate. We do this because we believe in a sustainable and ethical production chain, which is not only good for the environment but also for the people who grow the cocoa. We are convinced that this investment in sustainability will pay off in the long run, both for us and for our customers, who are increasingly choosing products that are produced responsibly.
Why Certifications?
If, through the choices we make, we can contribute to fairer compensation for cocoa farmers and the prevention of child labor, we are happy to do so. The environmental aspect also plays a role: traditional cocoa cultivation leads to the loss of tropical forests, and production generates a huge amount of organic waste. As a family business, we take our responsibility for a livable planet seriously. It is especially important for us to consider future generations. Consumers are also making increasingly conscious choices; there is a demand for more sustainable products, and as a customer-focused bakery, we naturally respond to that. That's why we use chocolate and cocoa with certifications that guarantee they are produced with care for people and the environment. And not just any certifications: Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance are both leading certifications according to Milieu Centraal.
Rainforest Alliance Certification
Our bakeries in Sevenum and Panningen both hold the Rainforest Alliance certification for chocolate. In early 2018, the Rainforest Alliance merged with UTZ. Together, they developed a new standard under the name Rainforest Alliance, recognizable by its frog logo.
The Rainforest Alliance is committed to nature conservation and improved social conditions in agriculture and forestry. The program involves the entire supply chain. Rainforest Alliance certified farms must meet criteria such as biodiversity conservation, the protection of natural resources, and also the promotion of workers' and communities' rights and well-being. The certification also sets social requirements, such as mandatory financial compensation for cocoa producers on top of the market price and a living wage for workers. There is a ban on child labor, forced labor, and discrimination, and a guarantee of freedom of association and a safe working environment. Rainforest Alliance thus stands for the protection of people and the environment. The Rainforest Alliance certification is awarded at product level by an independent body and periodically checked through audits at users, such as Goedhart Patisserie. Read more at https://www.rainforest-alliance.org
Fairtrade Cocoa
The Fairtrade certification (formerly the Max Havelaar certification in the Netherlands) focuses on small-scale farmers and workers in developing countries, helping them achieve a better position in the supply chain. If they have a reliable income and can make a living from their work, they can build a sustainable future for their families and communities. Fairtrade sets high social standards. Child and forced labor are prohibited, and children from farming families may only participate in work under strict conditions, for example, only after school and only for work suitable for their age and condition. Discrimination is prohibited, and the working environment must be safe. Cooperatives receive a Fairtrade premium, and participating farmers jointly decide how it is spent. A minimum market price is guaranteed. The environmental requirements are primarily aimed at preserving natural ecosystems (including forests), soil quality, and limiting environmental impact. For example, cocoa may not be grown on land that has been deforested after 2018. Cocoa and coffee farmers must pay attention to climate, but there are no concrete requirements to reduce climate impact. The Fairtrade certification is awarded at product level by an independent body and periodically checked through audits at users, such as Goedhart Patisserie. Read more at https://www.fairtradenederland.nl