We’ve all heard of Fair Trade chocolate, but Toronto’s ChocoSol goes one step-further in its efforts to produce socially conscious organic, artisanal chocolate. The passionate chocolatiers at ChocoSol consider themselves to be "slow food chocolate makers", using Fair Trade, organic cocoa beans directly sourced from indigenous communities in Mexico. Yet, beyond ethically conscious buying practices, ChocoSol aims to be environmentally conscious as well, through the unique use of solar energy, bicycle-powered deliveries and pedal-powered machines. That’s right, these "bicycle blenders" use pedal-power to grind the cocoa beans for the production of their chocolates, while also conducting the majority of their deliveries via bikes.
ChocoSol’s noble attitude towards the buying, producing and selling of chocolate is simply part of its "cradle to cradle" approach, which aims to encourage best practices in business and more effective social enterprise models. The needs of the consumer are always in mind as all the eating and drinking chocolate produced is vegan and free of dairy, gluten, soy, nuts, preservatives or additives. With the ever-steady shift towards the production of more socially conscious products, ChocoSol’s bicycle blenders may be paving the way for the use of pedal-power in business.
Bicycle-Powered Artisanal Chocolates
ChocoSol Created the Most Conscious Chocolate You'll Ever Eat
Trend Themes
1. Socially Conscious Production - ChocoSol's focus on fair trade, ethical sourcing, and pedal-powered production represents an opportunity for other companies to explore more socially conscious business practices.
2. Eco-friendly Methods - ChocoSol's use of solar energy and bicycle-powered deliveries highlights the opportunity for other companies to reduce their carbon footprint and explore more sustainable production methods.
3. Blending Food and Transportation - ChocoSol's integration of bicycles into their chocolate-making and delivery operations shows the potential for innovation in businesses that aim to combine food production and transportation for a unique competitive advantage.
Industry Implications
1. Food Production - ChocoSol's innovative approach to chocolate-making demonstrates the potential for disruption in the food production industry with a shift towards more socially conscious and eco-friendly methods.
2. Sustainable Transportation - ChocoSol's use of bicycles for deliveries and chocolate-making inspires opportunities for innovation in the sustainable transportation industry, particularly in urban areas with heavy traffic and concerns over pollution.
3. Social Enterprise - ChocoSol's cradle-to-cradle approach presents an opportunity for other social enterprise companies to adopt similar practices in their business models and stand out as leaders in their industry.