Changing the World with Chocolate
Why do we publish an Impact Analysis every year? First, we believe in transparency, and want to share our impact and challenges with you. Just as importantly, we want to celebrate our successes with you! We’re a small business, proud of what we do, and have been able to make a difference with YOU.
We start with seeds of change
Colloquially, they’re called cacao beans, and they are the seeds of the cacao tree. And, while we are a small business, we do everything we can to make a positive impact in the world – in our community of Rochester, in our community of cacao growers and chocolate makers, and beyond.
Our impact analysis illustrates a lot of what we’ve been up to, and some of the ways we give back. In full transparency, it’s been a hard year. Small businesses are facing more challenges than ever, and our chocolate is viewed as a luxury item (although we believe it is a daily necessity)! The chocolate that we make is clean, made with cacao sourced transparently, fairly, and grown sustainably, but that has led to some hard choices. In spite of the challenges, we are persevering, continuing to make mouthwatering confections, lead one-of-a-kind classes, and make positive change.
A few highlights
2023 was a year of growth, and a year of learning – as individuals and as a business. Also, we are now officially both a women-owned business AND a certiied B Corporation!
Did you know that when you shop with us, or join us for a chocolate experience, you support a women-owned, LGBTQ+, certified B Corp, and help sustain cacao farmers all over the world, and keep local dollars in our economy? Here are other ways your support and your Laughing Gull Chocolates’ purchases make a difference:
– Every cacao bean used to make Laughing Gull Chocolates is sourced transparently, direct from farmer to cacao exporter.
– Through product sales, we donated over thousands of dollars to local Rochester organizations (Saving AJ, Willow Domestic Violence and Action for Education Equity), and even more nationally (The Afiya Center and The Trevor Project). Additionally, we were able to support a myriad of local organizations through in-kind chocolate donations.
– We contributed approximately 530 lbs of compost to our local compost organization.
– Chocolatiered more than 1100 lbs of chocolate and taught more than 1500 about chocolate, science, social justice, history and more.
– Our ingredient purchases through Moka supported planting ~50 new trees in Cameroon.
– We started our journey as Eclipse Ambassadors in partnership with Rochester Museum & Science Center, engaging our community’s families and fostering access to STEAM for all.
One Cacao Nib at a Time
Our “Changing The World With Chocolate” tagline is serious business. We know we can only impact so much – but we do what we can through education, our sourcing, our packaging, and giving to organizations that make a difference.
We’re passionate about our mission, and truly changing the world with chocolate – and are confident that together, as a community, we can make a difference.
Thanks for being a part of this journey with us! Read more in our impact analysis and learn about our next steps in 2024.
0 Comments