Chocolate Has Never Been So Divine

Chocolate is one of life’s simple pleasures. While the luxurious storefronts of Godiva and Ghirardelli showcase some decadent and delightful treats, there are other companies that take a different approach. Introducing Divine Chocolates. This is a direct chocolate company: the farmers in Ghana who grow the cocoa own a large percentage of the company and are active decision-makers about large-scale operations. Divine Organization In the 1990s, a group of farmers in Ghana pooled together and set up a farmers’ co-op, Kuapa Kokoo. This co-op managed the selling of the cocoa and empowered the farmers by giving them direct control of their situation. By using honest practices, Kuapa Kokoo was able to attract a large membership. They were also able to gain fair trade certification, ensuring better returns for their farmers. In 1997, the members of Kuapa Kokoo decided to take even more control over their situation and voted to create their own chocolate company. With the investment of several socially responsible organizations, Divine Chocolates was created. As owners, the farmers have input into the sale and production of the final product. For the farmers and owners in Ghana, the fair trade benefits as well as the success that Divine Chocolates has had has meant a great amount of money has been able to build schools, sink wells, provide medical care, and improve the condition for women. The Products Divine Chocolates specializes in delicious chocolates for any occasion. They offer a selection of dark, milk, and white chocolate with a variety of different fillings and flavorings. There are also smaller crunch bars as well as toffee bars. For those of you searching for a decadent flavor, try the White Chocolate with Strawberries. For a heartier bar, check out the Fruit and Nut Dark Chocolate. Opportunities If you want to enjoy some delicious treats and support an environmental and socially responsible organization, there are many opportunities. Beyond ordering chocolate for your personal enjoyment, Divine Chocolates sell tubs of 200 mini bars to be used as party favors or incorporated in a beautiful centerpiece. Divine Chocolates also makes it easy for you if you choose to host a fundraiser or create a lesson plan to teach about fair trade in the classroom. Check out their website, look for them in your local store, or at an event across the country or in the UK. Image Credit: Divine Chocolates

Feeding Kids from Berkeley to New Orleans: Edible Schoolyard and Blue Bottle Coffee

The Edible Schoolyard has been one of the most visible sustainable food projects of our time. Surprisingly controversial -- Is it really elitist to feed good food to public school children? -- there is no denying that Alice Waters' Delicious Revolution is made manifest in Berkeley's educational system. As models go, it has its proponents and detractors. As it spreads to less affluent school districts, though, the benefits cannot be denied. The version in New Orleans is part of a vital and successful charter school.

It may be too late for you to attend July's summer academy, but while you plan ahead for next year's workshops hosted by the Chez Panisse Foundation, consider some ways you can support these programs today: Certainly if you find yourself in Northern California or New Orleans, incorporate a visit to the gardens, a few hours volunteering weeding, a summer internship, or a charitable donation. The latter can be earmarked to offset costs for teachers who want to participate. Graduates of the Academy gain tools for teaching Edible Education, which is supposed to be an integrated approach to working with kids in the kitchen, schools, lunchrooms, and gardens. Teachers, gardening experts, farm-to-table advocates, and greenhouse educators gain hands-on wisdom about what works with school-age kids.

Check to see if you have a program already in the works at your local school -- greenhouses are a new hot item being funded by Slow Food and PTOs across the USA. The Academy isn't expensive and it provides graduates with both a perfect farm-to-table pedigree and unbeatable skills, but since it is in Berkeley, the Foundation is always grateful for donations to help offset costs. One great way to get ready is to consider sponsoring a team of teachers in your local school district. Or, better yet, purchase a set of Chez Panisse books on schoolyard gardening, cooking with kids, and sustainable lunchrooms to donate to your favorite academic institution. Best textbook title ever: "Making Mathematics Delicious."

And the most delicious way to help out: From the Blue Bottle Coffee Company, order a New Orleans iced coffee concentrate kit so that 10% of your purchase will help fund another Chez Panisse Foundation project, the Edible Schoolyard of New Orleans (ESYNOLA). Recently a guest blogger on the Accidental Hedonist expounded on the best way to enjoy the coffee concentrate, so read up, order yourself some NOLA in a bag, sit back, caffeinate yourself, and think about good garden math.