Purdys' 'Clean Water Project' chocolate bar launches for Earth Month
Partial-proceeds program will make clean drinking water possible for rural cocoa-growing communities
VANCOUVER, April 3, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada's favourite chocolatier is proud to launch the Clean Water Project Bar, an 85 g milk chocolate and salted butter toffee bar ($6 retail) available across Canada and online April 3, 2017. Purdys has joined forces with the Swiss-based Cocoa Horizons Foundation to help make safe drinking water a reality in Ivory Coast cocoa communities, with $2 from each bar sale going to fund a community development project focused on water hygiene training and the purchase of 35 water filtration systems.
Supporting the communities where Purdys' farmer partners and their families live is one of two pillars of Purdys' Sustainable Cocoa Program, established in 2014. Peter Higgins, Purdys President and Chocolate Scientist:
"We're thrilled to expand our partnership with the Cocoa Horizons Foundation and spearhead this special campaign that will provide over 1,500 primary school children access to clean, safe water. The Clean Water Project Water Bar is just the beginning for us and a tangible way for our customers to contribute towards making clean water a reality in cocoa farming communities. Our partners on the ground will implement a 4-month program beginning later this summer which will deliver and implement critical LifeStraw water filtration technology and WASH training."
This Bean Does More: Purdys' 100% Sustainable Cocoa Program
Purdys launched their Sustainable Cocoa Program in 2014 to help support their farmer partners, cocoa co-ops and communities across the world. Through the purchase of premium sustainable cocoa — everything crafted at Purdys Chocolatier is made with only 100% sustainable cocoa — Purdys has helped support numerous Cocoa Horizons Foundation initiatives.
The Clean Water Project campaign is the first product-specific sustainability campaign for the organization that addresses a specific community need, and the first time Purdys has placed a partial-proceeds product on shelves across Canada (in its 110-year history).
"The Cocoa Horizons Foundation relies on the support of partners such as Purdys to enable the improvement of cocoa farmers' livelihoods in the communities where we have programs," said Michael Schlup, General Manager, Cocoa Horizons Foundation. "By bringing partners together, we can better scale impact and drive change in cocoa, to lift farmers out of poverty and enable a sustainable chocolate industry."
Clean Water Project Bar: Information & Availability
- Milk Chocolate and Salted Butter Toffee, 85 g, $6
- Launches April 3, 2017, until supplies last (Summer 2017)
- Purdys shops across Canada and online on April 3 at purdys.com/cleanwater
ABOUT THE COCOA HORIZONS FOUNDATION
The Cocoa Horizons Foundation was formally established on February 25, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland and is supervised by the Swiss Federal Foundation Supervisory Authority. Its mission is to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities through the promotion of sustainable, entrepreneurial farming, improved productivity and community development. The Foundation's Board of Directors includes two directors appointed by Barry Callebaut and one independent, external director. The Foundation is audited annually to demonstrate compliance with Swiss federal regulations. Visit www.cocoahorizons.org.
ABOUT PURDYS CHOCOLATIER
Purdys Chocolatier was founded in 1907 in Vancouver by Richard Carmon Purdy. With over 75 shops across the country, Purdys is Canada's go-to destination for chocolate and confections. Purdys chocolates are made daily at their Vancouver Factory Kitchen, using only the freshest, best ingredients sourced from around the world. Purdys is committed to tradition and quality, celebrating its original recipes as well as developing many exciting new chocolate creations each year. Bestsellers include the Himalayan Pink Salt Caramel, Hedgehogs and Sweet Georgia Browns. More at purdys.com.
SOURCE Purdys Chocolatier
For further information: MEDIA CONTACT: Kathleen McDonald, The Knot Group, 416-532-9035, [email protected]
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