About us
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 Mission
Ethically producing and sharing cacao by rebuilding inclusive collaborations and ecosystems.
Values
Responsibility
Radical responsibility is at the core of our values. It is expressed through our collaborations, work and actions. When we witness injustices, we create solutions to support a better future.
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.
Integrality
We create a business model that is total and complete, working towards closing every circle: financial, social and environmental.
Resilience
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.
Cacao Source Team
Jordan de Bellescize
Co-Founder / Research & development
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 Tremblay
Co-Founder / Business Manager
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.
Dorothy Farrell
Co-Founder / Creative Manager
Dorothy, originally from the United States, travels between Guatemala and the USA sharing cacao. An ecologist and sacred space holder, she cares for both, environmental sustainability and community connection. She is the voice behind Cacao Source and a constant creative creator.
Jaquelin Morales
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 Ajú
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.
Davo Quiacaín
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!
Theodora
Sales Manager
Theodora, originally from Austria, has decided to call Guatemala her home. She is the bridge between our local team and the international community. She offers support and guidance to our distributor team while sharing cacao with the world.
Jonathan
Farm Supervisor
Jonas, originally from Guatemala, has over 10+ year experience as an agronomist all over Central and South America. He specialized in cacao with a syntropic and bio-dynamic agriculture approach. His role in Cacao Source is to support the farmers and developing projects with the farming communities to improve the quality of their soil and production of quality cacao.
7 Women's Collectives & 5 Farming Communities