A movement: 1 heart at the time
When experiencing our Cacao, you are a part of social, environment, cultural and financial justice movement. We are a national and international network with two things in common: our love for CACAO and ETHICS.
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When experiencing our Cacao, you can trace the seeds back to a single Source.
This is the heart of our project.
Every product we share is traceable to a single origin. We source Cacao from three distinct regions– the Suchitepequez on the Pacific front, Alta Verapaz in central north Guatemala, and Izabal on the Caribbean front. We find isolated Mayan food forest communities that grow rare strains of Cacao. When they meet our criteria of quality (organic soils, fair wages to their workers, and agreement with our revitalization program), we invite them into the Cacao Source family. We do this instead of buying from enormous plantations or big distributing corporations, as many Cacao/chocolate businesses do.
When creating your ceremonial Cacao batch, we never mix the origins. Every Source has its distinct aromas, qualities, and story. We are building a bridge between cacao enthusiasts and the communities that cultivate and process medicine. We both inform Cacao lovers all over the world about the very precise origins, contexts, and identities behind their Cacao, but also let each farming community gain awareness about all the people they are sending the fruit of their labor to.
We care for the Source just as much as you do.
History
Cacao Source was founded in May 2019 by Jordan, Dorothy and Laurence, three cacao enthusiasts who found reverence for Cacao through the rainforests. Based in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, Cacao Source is situated among the ancient Cacao groves. This is where our journey began. The team grew with diverse and equally passionate team members that dedicate their time to producing and honoring ethical pure cacao.
During the first two years of the project, Cacao Source established fair and trustful relationships with 3 farming communities. We have spent many days connecting with each farming community, connecting on personal and practical levels, to make sure we are aligned to make our work together in the world. We now work with 8 different origins, each with a unique story that has furthered our mission to empower nature and its guardians.
We also created a blueprint for forming Kaq’chikel (Mayan) chocolatiers women’s collectives. Since then, we formed 7 groups in several San Marcos’s neighborhoods. Each collective has a leader who takes care of the main tasks and organization, and 5 to 10 helpers that work into the many aspects of artisan cacao production– mainly peeling. Each collective is sovereign and independent. In exchange for their honesty and communication, we offer them to work at their own pace they choose when and how much they want to work, then we pay by quantity produced.
Our Vision
Be a force of regeneration through Cacao
Our mission
Ethically producing and sharing cacao by rebuilding inclusive collaborations and ecosystems.
Our Values
Inclusivity
Divserse and intercultural collabortions is key to Cacao Source. We include a broad diversity of people in the project to create a large community-- local and international-- all working towards a common vision.
Resilience
Divserse and intercultural collabortions is key to Cacao Source. We include a broad diversity of people in the project to create a large community-- local and international-- all working towards a common vision.
Integrality
We create a business model that is total and complete, working towards closing every circle: financial, social and environmental.
Responsibility
We work in difficult circumstances, social and environmental, and we stand strong as a team to go though the challenges. We always work towards bringing the bar of ethics higher in the Cacao industry.
Meet our Leadership Team
Jordan, co-founder
Jordan, originally from France, have been living in Guatemala for 7+ years. The heart and passion behind Cacao Source, he is a bridge uniting communities and cultures. He has developed Cacao Source's production model and today, he is pushing barriers of sustainability and inclusivity further.
Laurence, co-founder
Laurence, originally from Canada, has been living in Guatemala for 4+ years. She is the mind and vision keeper behind Cacao Source. Creator of the Social Business Design, she continues to elevate the ethics of Cacao Source to new levels. Today, she manages Cacao Source's business and develops Guatemala's regenerative movement network.
Jaquelin, Administrator
Jaquelin, originally from Guatemala, is behind all the order and systems of Cacao Source. She is at the core of the development of Cacao Source supporting the project by building strong foundations to allow growth and haertfullness in our actions.
Mayte, Production manager
Mayte, originally from Guatemala, is a pillar in Cacao Source. She manages the processing of the cacao seeds, the relationship with the women collective, and the team of production. She brings her brilliant mind and radiant heart to all of her work.
Roza, Marketing manager
Roza, originally from Lithuania, is the bridge between the work we do and you. With are creative and organized mind, she brings light to the world on the activities of Cacao Source.
Natalia, Sales manager
Natalia, originally from Colombia, is responsible of all relationship with our clients. She builds community, offers support and follow-ups on every order.
Davo, Production assistant
Davo, originally from Guatemala, is the helping hand behind all our operations. Always happy to support and share his love of cacao. Beyond supporting the production activities, he is a great chef and creates the best cacao drinks!
Domingo, Production assistant
Domingo, originally from Guatemala, is the balanced support in the production team. He juggles between organization and actions, always ready to offer a hand to his team members.