Nestle, the global food giant, has ushered in a new era of sustainability and ethical chocolate production by introducing the very first KitKat crafted from cocoa sourced through its groundbreaking Income Accelerator Program (IAP). Aptly named “KitKat Breaks for Good,” this innovative chocolate bar represents a significant step towards connecting consumers with cocoa farmers and fostering awareness about the imperative sustainability of cocoa cultivation.
Launched in January 2022, the Nestle IAP has set out on a mission to bridge the daunting income disparity that has long plagued cocoa farmers while simultaneously combatting the scourge of child labour. Beyond these crucial goals, the program also aspires to elevate agricultural practices and champion gender equality in the cocoa-producing regions.
Corinne Gabler, the Head of Confectionery and Ice Cream at Nestle, affirmed that KitKat’s heritage of embracing innovation, as epitomised by their iconic “Have a break, have a KitKat” slogan, now finds expression through the Breaks for Good initiative. This forward-thinking endeavour firmly positions cocoa farmers at the heart of their product line through the income accelerator program. Gabler stated, “We couldn’t think of a better brand than KitKat to represent our efforts to create meaningful impact in cocoa communities.”
Under the aegis of the IAP, cocoa-farming families are incentivised to enrol their children in school, engage in sustainable agroforestry practices, adopt good agricultural methods, and diversify their income streams. Since its inception, the program has already touched the lives of more than 10,000 families in Côte d’Ivoire, and this year, it is poised to expand its reach to Ghana, encompassing an impressive 30,000 families.
With a visionary outlook, the IAP sets its sights on a grand ambition: by the year 2030, it aims to extend its beneficial impact to an estimated 160,000 cocoa-farming families within Nestle’s global cocoa supply chain, thus truly making a difference on a monumental scale.
Michiel van der Bom, the Product Line Director of Cocoa Chocolate, Europe & West Africa at Cargill, underscored their commitment to Nestle’s sustainability journey, emphasising their role in sourcing sustainable ingredients in ways that rejuvenate the environment, support families, and boost incomes. “Through our partnership,” van der Bom stated, “we are building a stronger, more resilient supply chain together.”
In a remarkable stride towards its sustainability goals, Nestlé has also set an ambitious target: by mid-2024, they intend to utilise segregated cocoa butter for all KitKat chocolate products in Europe, with plans to expand this initiative to other regions in the future.
KitKat Breaks for Good, the embodiment of Nestle’s dedication to sustainable cocoa sourcing, will make its debut on store shelves in January across 27 European countries, followed by a May launch in the UK. As an additional treat for chocolate aficionados, a limited-edition KitKat featuring 70 percent dark chocolate, crafted from cocoa sourced through the income accelerator program, has been introduced to the UK market as a pilot project, marking yet another milestone in Nestle’s relentless pursuit of ethical and sustainable cocoa production.
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