Conscious and delicious Choceur CHOCO CHANGER: ALDI launches new, responsibly sourced chocolate bar
The ALDI SOUTH Group and the ALDI Nord Group are the first international discount retailers to join the Open Chain by Tony’s Chocolonely and developed a 100% responsibly sourced chocolate bar. The chocolate is Fairtrade certified and the cocoa beans are sourced through a direct and equal cocoa supply chain. By going beyond certification, we collaborate to become sustainability frontrunners with the CHOCO CHANGER.
A sweet taste, a delicious smell and a little bit(e) of happiness: Chocolate lovers can get excited as the ALDI SOUTH Group and the ALDI Nord Group jointly launch their new own brand chocolate bar ‘Choceur CHOCO CHANGER’ in three delicious flavours: Hazelnut, Salted Caramel and 70% Dark Chocolate. Starting from 15 April 2021, the product will be available in selected ALDI SÜD Germany stores and from May 2021 also at ALDI Nord Germany. Further sales of the new chocolate bar will soon be available in UK, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy.
This chocolate bar is a sweet deal for cocoa farmers and consumers: Buying the Choceur CHOCO CHANGER will support the cocoa farming communities in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. The farmer cooperatives will profit from the sale of Choceur CHOCO CHANGER as they are paid a price for their cocoa that enables the earning of a living income. We are engaging in long-term partnerships with the farmer cooperatives, which will give their members and families security today and in the future. All the cocoa ingredients are 100% segregated and traceable, which makes the whole cocoa supply chain transparent. As the first international discount retailer to join Tony’s Open Chain in December 2020, ALDI is committed to support Tony’s Open Chain’s ambitious mission to change the norm in the cocoa industry by improving the working conditions along the supply chains and by collaborating in the transparent sourcing of cocoa beans.
“We are convinced that being a mission ally of Tony’s Open Chain enables us to offer our customers a fair and 100% responsible bar of chocolate. With this chocolate bar, we create positive change and offer a best practice product while doing our part to respect human rights and nature in the cocoa supply chain.“
Anke Ehlers, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility International at the ALDI SOUTH Group
“The Choceur CHOCO CHANGER is going to set a new benchmark in the cocoa supply chain in terms of transparency, secured income and improved livelihood for farmers. ALDI is proud to drive this change forward and to raise consumer awareness in eleven countries.”
Erik Hollmann, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Quality Assurance at the ALDI Nord Group
Adopting the principles for the Choceur CHOCO CHANGER enable the ALDI SOUTH Group and the ALDI Nord Group to take 100% responsibility for the cocoa supply chain and create positive change in this sector by supporting those that need it the most: the cocoa farmers in West Africa.
Tony’s 5 Sourcing Principles for cocoa raise responsible sourcing to a new level:
- Traceable beans: All cocoa beans are 100% traceable and sourced directly from the farmer cooperatives. This means we know where the beans are grown and under what circumstances.
- A higher price: Farmers receive an additional premium on top of the Fairtrade premium for every kilogramme of cocoa beans, enabling them to earn a living income.
- Strong farmers: ALDI supports professional cooperatives of farmers. Together they are stronger and can work together more professionally as an organization, achieve economies of scale and create commitment and trust among the farmer members of the cooperatives.
- The long term: ALDI engages in long-term commitments giving the farmers income security and the opportunity to invest in their businesses.
- Productivity & Quality: ALDI helps farmers to improve yields through training and investments by Tony’s Open Chain and to get access to markets.
“I’m proud to welcome ALDI as a new mission ally. Together, we take responsibility for the chocolate industry to drive structural change towards a more equally divided cocoa chain. Together, we can amplify our impact on the ground. It proves that the Open Chain model works, and we are ready to scale.”
Paul Schoenmakers, Head of Impact at Tony’s Chocolonely
The cocoa, sugar and vanilla in the chocolate bars are Fairtrade certified and sourced from Fairtrade producers. Selling more of their cocoa, sugar and vanilla on Fairtrade terms enables farmers to get fairer trading conditions, stimulate social change and engage in environmental protection.
Also good to know: the cocoa used in almost all of ALDI’s other own brand cocoa-containing products is certified according to UTZ/Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade. All of these standards set requirements for the prevention of illegal child labour in supply chains.
For more details on how Choceur CHOCO CHANGER supports cocoa farmers in West Africa visit our website or have a glimpse at the inside of the colourful Choceur CHOCO CHANGER packaging: Holding change in your hands!
