Dive Brief:
- In line with its pledge to source more certified, sustainable cocoa for its products, The Hershey Co. announced that in 2016 it will have enough sustainable cocoa to produce several of its products, including Hershey’s chocolate bars, Kisses, Kit Kat bars sold in the United States, and Brookside products.
- Reese's will join Hershey's list of certified, sustainable cocoa-using products by 2017.
- This is part of an acceleration of Hershey's original promise, which was to source 100% certified, sustainable cocoa by 2020. Hershey announced earlier this year that it will be one year ahead of schedule as it sources "at least half of its global cocoa supply from certified and sustainable farms by the end of 2015," Food Business News reported.
Dive Insight:
Terry O’Day, senior vice-president and chief supply chain officer, said, "We are proud of our work to improve the lives of cocoa families, promote gender equality, and provide health and farm safety programs. While sustainable, certified cocoa is just part of our responsible sourcing efforts, the fact that we will source enough for these major Hershey brands in the fourth year of our certified cocoa commitment demonstrates the urgency with which we have pursued this commitment," reported Food Business News.