Lake Champlain Chocolates & Fair Trade USA Team Up to Create Sustainable Future for Cocoa Farms

Burlington, VT –  Family-owned Lake Champlain Chocolates (LCC) is thrilled to announce the 2025 Fair Trade Microgrant recipients:

-            Cooperativa Agraria Granos de Oro Del Valle de Pangoa

-            Aprovraem Café Y Cacao

Throughout the year, 1% of sales from LCC’s Fair Trade Certified™ Signature Bars will be donated to these two cacao and coffee farming cooperatives in Peru to fund the planting of over 46,000 trees with two separate agroforestry programs.

Climate change has wreaked havoc on these two farming communities; planting trees will restore vegetation, help mitigate climate change, promote biodiversity in the region, and conserve areas of precious water resources. 

“It is more important than ever that we do what we can to support our cacao farmers and drive long-term systematic change.” says Allyson Myers, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Climate change, disease, drought, and unfair labor practices have plagued cacao farmers for years, resulting in a shortage of supply that is driving the record high chocolate prices we are seeing today.  Fair Trade Microgrants is one way we can help build a more sustainable future for the cacao farming industry.”

This is the first year of LCC’s Fair Trade Microgrant program with Fair Trade USA ^TM.   This revolutionary program goes above and beyond the fair trade Community Development funds and gives farming communities access to money for essential development needs related to the environment, water, sanitation, and more; bridging the gap between current realities and the vision to ensure a sustainable future.

“These microgrants will enable farmers to invest in practices and infrastructure critical to ensuring healthy, sustainable environment for their communities and livelihoods, which rely on a resilient natural ecosystem. It will positively impact the health of their local environment and enhance their ability to remain on their land and care for their families. – Felipe Arango, CEO, Fair Trade USA.

“As a Certified B Corporation, it feels appropriate to announce this year’s recipients during B Corp Month, a time to celebrate the work of thousands of B Corps who are committed to using business as a force for good. We are proud to be a pioneer in this movement that inspires action and purpose within our local and global communities.  The Microgrant program with Fair Trade USA is an important part of how we embody our B Corps values.” says Myers.

LCC’s Signature Bar line, organic certified with twenty delicious flavors, are sold in over 1,500 stores nationwide, online at LakeChamplainChocoaltes.com and Fair Trade Certified, and at their four company-owned retail stores located in Vermont.

About Lake Champlain Chocolates 

Born from a dare to do better, Lake Champlain Chocolates is driven by a passion to change the world one delicious chocolate at a time. As a multi-generational, family-owned Vermont business, LCC is dedicated to the values of passion, integrity, and care. Their premium chocolates are crafted with 100% fair trade certified chocolate and the highest quality ingredients in Vermont, like fresh cream, honey, and pure maple syrup. They never use preservatives, additives or extenders and seek out organic and fair trade certified ingredients whenever possible. A certified B Corporation®, LCC uses business as a force for good and makes a positive impact locally and globally on people, planet, and profit.

Lake Champlain Chocolates are available at their four company-owned stores in Vermont, nationwide at specialty stores and grocers, and online at Amazon and the company website.

About Fair Trade USA 

Fair Trade USA, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in North America. Its award-winning, rigorous, and globally recognized sustainable sourcing certification programs improve livelihoods, protect the environment, and build resilient, transparent supply chains. The trusted Fair Trade Certified™ label on a product signifies that it was made according to stringent Fair Trade standards. Fair Trade USA is building an innovative model of responsible business, conscious consumerism, and shared value to eliminate poverty and enable sustainable development for farmers, workers, their families, and communities around the world. Learn more about Fair Trade USA at their website.