Entry: Jim Lampman, Lake Champlain Chocolates

I went to Ghana knowing that my many questions about the cocoa supply chain would be answered and were they ever! First of all, I discovered it is a land very rich in natural resources with plenty of hot sun, rain and humidity, and fertile soil. About half of the country is ideally suited for growing cocoa and as they say over there, “Ghana is cocoa and cocoa is Ghana”.

Farming cocoa is a way of life for so many families in Ghana (estimated to be over one-half million) so there will always be child labor in the family sense. But know that the government is dedicated to getting rid of all the worst forms of child labor. The Cocoa Board sets the price of cocoa, quality control is in check at many points along the way, and there is little reason if any, to believe that there is corruption in the supply chain. Being part of WCF is more gratifying than ever knowing that support for teaching the farmers better methods for growing premium beans and achieving better yields (thru Farm Field Schools) is in place as demand for premium beans continues to grow at record pace. To me, this is fair trade.

I feel connected to the farmers and their communities of Ghana and that connection has already transferred to the culture here at Lake Champlain Chocolates.

Photo: Ellen and Jim Lampman