Discover Our Origins: The Journey of Markham & Fitz Chocolate
Oko Caribe, Dominican Republic
Nestled in the heart of the cacao rich Duarte province in the Dominican Republic, Öko-Caribe maintains close relationships with its 165 farmers through technical training, in agronomic practices and organic certification. Owners Adriano and Gualberto have personal relationships with all farmers, offering micro-finance loans for cacao-related expenses, as well as personal loans for family emergencies or other community needs.
PISA, Haiti
PISA launched their centralized processing facility in 2014, which was a revolutionary change for the way the cacao industry worked in Haiti, offering the first high quality Haitian cacao to the US market. Through private sector innovation, PISA partnered with farmers to give them what they really needed: pricing transparency, a consistent market, and an elimination of risk. Today, PISA still provides smallholder farmers access to the specialty cacao market by purchasing wet cacao, centrally fermenting it, and selling it at a higher price for its higher quality.
Tumaco, Colombia
On the southern pacific coast of Colombia, Tumaco is a region that has been hard hit by historic political conflict and plagued by narco trafficking. Since Cacao de Colombia first explored the region back in 2011, they have made it possible for farmers today to earn 70% more income from cacao than they did when selling dried beans to the commodity market supply chain, and have a true sustainable alternative to coca production or involvement in the narco groups.