What we do
Pleasure and joy are easily associated with chocolate. And rightly so. But there is also a downside: cocoa farming families usually sell their product to the chocolate industry at very low prices. While the expertise and enormous effort of the 6 million cocoa farmers worldwide are miserably compensated, the industry makes high profits. For some years now, various organizations and young start-ups have been campaigning for a fairer distribution of risk and profit in the production chain. In order to be able to classify the new approaches, it is important to recognize the connections in the current chocolate value chain and to be able to see them in a historical context. Whether you share responsibility as a consumer, pupil, teacher, political representative or chocolate industry; Good Chocolate Hub creates tangible options for action combined with information.
We’ll be back on 13th April 2025
The ehrundredlich Schoggifestival, organized by the Good Chocolate Hub, showcases the mindful generation of cocoa and chocolate production, tells the story of the people who produce the cocoa for our chocolate and combines enjoyment with responsible action. Chocolate market, workshops, chocolate talks and culinary delights await you on 13 April 2025, just one week before Easter. Stay tuned and subscribe to our newsletter.
WORKSHOPS AT SCHOOLS
Target audience: 3rd-6th primary and upper secondary schools, secondary technical schools, universities, project weeks, holiday courses and others.
What it’s about: The workshop is about playfully providing background information on cocoa cultivation, its challenges and the associated responsibility of consumers. For example, what do human rights have to do with our chocolate? The pupils are given options for action. They should make informed consumer decisions and know that they can make a difference. Of course, a chocolate tasting session is a must.
Combined topics: The workshop can be thematically adapted and combined. For example: chocolate & cocoa and human rights, CSR, environment, consumer responsibility, colonialism, Swissness, social enterprises, marketing, campaigning, international / national politics or food systems.
Write to us or give us a call and we will find a suitable program for your class.
ADVOCACY AND NETWORKING
The Good Chocolate Hub is politically active. It positions itself as the voice of conscious consumers, citizens and in the interests of cocoa farmers in the sense of a more mindful and people-centered cocoa and chocolate production system.
The Good Chocolate Hub sees itself as a hub and courtyard for networking and joint action – in the background as well as in the foreground, politically as well as publicly effective – with other organizations, sustainable chocolate producers, cocoa processors, trade unions and committed citizens.
Get in touch if you have an advocacy or networking concern.
Chocolate TASTINGS AND EVENTS
Yes, chocolate can be tasted just as well as wine, cheese or coffee. Did you know that chocolate has more different aromas, flavors and textures than almost any other food or drink in the world? When we taste fine chocolate, we experience a complex sensory adventure. From delicate floral notes to a creamy mouthfeel, the best cocoa varieties and chocolates offer distinctive flavor profiles – which can also be very surprising. Giving chocolate a broader perspective also puts cocoa producers in the spotlight. Experience something new, have fun, understand your own palate, learn about cocoa; that’s what we offer you with our chocolate tasting program. Decide for yourself which topic you would like to focus on during the tasting. Aromas and flavors, Swiss bean-to-bar chocolate makers, human rights, sustainability, cocoa cultivation or international politics?
Whether for an anniversary, a general meeting, a themed event, a farewell party or an inauguration: a chocolate tasting gives the event a special touch.
Write or call us and we will discuss the framework conditions.
INFORMATION AND RESEARCH
Pleasure and joy are easily associated with chocolate. And rightly so. But there is also a downside: cocoa farming families usually sell their product to the chocolate industry at very low prices. While the expertise and enormous effort of the 6 million cocoa farmers worldwide are miserably compensated, the industry makes high profits. For some years now, various organizations and young start-ups have been campaigning for a fairer distribution of risk and profit in the production chain. In order to be able to classify the new approaches, it is important to recognize the connections in the current chocolate value chain and to be able to see them in a historical context.
Whether it’s a panel discussion, symposium or themed evening, we are interested in communicating the complex relationships between sensual chocolate and conflicting cocoa to a diverse audience in a concise and accessible way – or interactively contributing our expertise. We can also develop a written background paper. We are happy to support interested event organizers in incorporating our input in a suitable way. Get in touch with us so that we can discuss the assignment.
ethical chocolate tours in zürich
Switzerland is famous for chocolate – but its most important ingredient does not grow here. So what is the story behind, and where do the cocoa beans come from? How can we taste chocolate with all of our senses, and what it means to produce it in an ethical way? Join our tour to find out!
Our experience starts with an interactive workshop where you will learn how to taste chocolate like a master chocolate taster. Your guide will walk you through the history of chocolate in Switzerland, challenges in the chocolate industry and you will be introduced to a new generation of Swiss, ethical chocolate makers! After the workshop we take public transportation to our next stop – a chocolate manufactory. You will have a unique chance to observe each step of production and learn how chocolate is made – from raw beans to finished bars. Our partner Detours Zurich developed this offer together with us. Detours specializes in sustainable tours in Zurich and the surrounding area.
Price: 79 CHF p.p.
Meeting point: at Sihlquai Bus Station Google maps
Starting time: 10.00
Duration: 3 hrs
Language: English
Inclusions: private guide, a chocolate workshop, tastings, entrance to a chocolate manufactory
Note: You will need a public transportation ticket.
Upcoming dates, reservations and further information: Detours Zürich
FURTHER EDUCATION IN ECONOMICS AND LAW, GRAMMAR SCHOOL
The Good Chocolate Hub team has developed teaching material aimed at secondary school students of economics and law, but which is also interesting for the subject of geography. We offer further training for teachers who teach these subjects or are interested in the subject matter.
Topic: An introduction to the global challenges of the chocolate industry: The Small Chocolate Case – How small chocolate companies tackle big problems.
Practical examples in the focus of business education.
Presentation of the case study: The international cocoa and chocolate market as well as four young chocolate companies form the learning object in order to link economic and business management topics. A holistic view is taken along the supply chain – from the cocoa farmer in Ghana to the consumer in Switzerland. The social, ecological and economic challenges are analyzed from various perspectives and practical solutions are presented.
Course instructor: Ildikó Gyomlay, Development of educational projects Good Chocolate Hub (teacher of economics and law) and Andrea Hüsser, Co-founder and Managing Director Good Chocolate Hub
Scope of teaching material: 20 pages with facts, short theoretical inputs, solution approaches and tasks including solutions and video contributions (for 8 to 10 lessons). The material can be used directly in the classroom.
Costs: 275.-
Duration: half a day (we can also offer a full day on request)
Date and location: On request