Embodying the intercultural and transnationality that is fundamental to ChocoSol, our Bird Sanctuary chocolate celebrates the Bicknell’s thrush migration from the maple forest gardens to Quebec and Vermont to the cacao forest garden of the Dominican Republic. Made with Zorzal cacao and sweetened with Canadian maple sugar, this bar includes a touch of sea salt to represent the ocean passage of the birds. As Zorzal Cacao say, “it turns out that chocolate, a culinary force in its own right, can also be a force for international conservation!”
Nestled in the heart of the cacao rich Duarte province in the Dominican Republic is Öko-Caribe. With more than 50 years of combined experience in cacao, owners Adriano de Jesus Rodriguez and Gualberto Acebey Torrejon have fine-tuned their systems to ensure consistent, superior quality in their production. Öko Caribe maintains close relationships with its 165 farmers through technical training, in agronomic practices and organic certification. In addition, owners Adriano and Gualberto have personal relationships with all farmers, offering microfinance loans for cacao-related expenses, as well as personal loans for family emergencies or other community needs.