Make the world a better place using chocolate as a tool for change

There is something special about chocolate. But beyond the joy of eating chocolate, the industry has also been exposed to poor working conditions and environmental degradation. It is therefore important that chocolate companies take responsibility down to the origin or raw materials, starting with the farmers on the ground who take pride in nurturing their crops and preserving a legacy for their families. Making the connection between the field and the finished product is at the heart of Luker Chocolate.

Founded in 1906, Luker Chocolate is a maker of fine chocolates originally made and made exclusively from fine-tasting cocoa (as opposed to bulk cocoa) sourced from Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. A family business for over 120 years, Luker is very proud to work hand in hand with its partners. They work with boutiques and emerging specialty brands around the world who are looking for a partner to help them create targeted chocolate products, whether it's a turnkey approach or sourcing chocolate ingredients for their own manufacturing.

As a commercial (B4B) company, Luker is committed to the sustainable social, economic and environmental development of its cocoa growing communities. The brand works with companies around the world to ensure direct sourcing and integration of the cocoa value chain, from farm to chocolate. Luker Chocolate also aims to transform the value chain more broadly with its The Chocolate Dream program which engages chocolate brands around the world for collective impact on economic, social and environmental impact in chocolate communities.

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Luker Chocolate was recently certified B Corporation, which provides a third-party assessment of the company's social and environmental commitments by the independent nonprofit B Lab.

I recently had a conversation with Julia Ocampo, Vice President of Cocoa Sourcing and Sustainability at Luker Chocolate, about the company's B Corp certification and how the company seeks to transform the cocoa value chain and move beyond sustainability.

Christopher Marquis: Tell me how becoming a B corporation reinforces your longstanding commitment to sustainability?

Julia Ocampo, vice president of cocoa sourcing and sustainability for Luker Chocolate

Luker Chocolate

Julia Ocampo: Since our beginnings, we have made substantial contributions to the sustainable development of rural communities in Colombia. Our business operations are aligned with our "Triple Impact Approach", which aims to increase farmers' incomes, promote social welfare in cocoa growing areas and protect the environment. We are also working to create shared value at origin, keeping more capital in Colombia and reinvesting profits directly into our local communities. In 2023, B Corporation's full audit process took place from January to April, which included providing evidence and explanations of our efforts. The process was rigorous and required the support of all of our teams and departments across the company. We are very proud to be a Certified B Corporation TM.

Marquis: How does becoming a B Corporation change Luker?

Ocampo: In addition to assessing our operational practices, B Lab revised our impact models for alleviating poverty in the supply chain and hiring vulnerable populations (low-income people, up to in high school, young people with their first job, migrants, etc.). These measures help...