Hershey a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks, has announced that 30% of its globally sourced cocoa was independently certified and verified in 2014. This reflects an accelerated pace for achieving its goal of sourcing 100% of its cocoa supply from certified and sustainable cocoa farms by 2020. The announcement follows the company’s 2013 achievement of sourcing 18% certified cocoa globally, nearly double its original goal of 10% for the first year of its 2020 commitment.
Given its accelerated momentum toward 100% certified and sustainable cocoa, Hershey also announced a new target to source at least 50% certified cocoa by the end of 2015, reaching its 2016 goal of 40% and 50% one year ahead of schedule.
“Sourcing sustainable cocoa is a key part of our 21st Century Cocoa Sustainability Strategy, which focuses on programs that improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers, their families, and cocoa communities around the world. We are proud of our rapid progress in just two years and our alignment with the industry’s efforts to address the challenges in cocoa growing regions through the CocoaAction initiative led by the World Cocoa Foundation,” said Terry O’Day, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer.
Hershey is currently sourcing certified cocoa through three of the world’s largest and most recognized cocoa certifications: Universal Trade Zone (UTZ) Certified, Fair Trade USA, and Rainforest Alliance Certified.