From Bali to Madagascar, Brazil to Ghana and the Dominican Republic to Peru – our sourcers only settle for the world's finest cacao beans. Over time, they have built enduring one-on-one relationships with local growers, who have shared invaluable industry expertise. This long-lasting alliance with growers constantly expands our knowledge of cacao. It has also given us the know-how to become growers ourselves and continually introduce novel approaches to each step of the process, from growing to fermenting to drying, so we can advance the diversification of cacao.

A perfect example of our dedication to growers is the Millot plantation in Madagascar, which has been partnering with Valrhona for more than 20 years. Our lasting tight-knit relationship with them has resulted in producing superior cacao beans, environmental sustainability that is second-to-none, and better lives for the surrounding communities. A total of 45 homes in the village were renovated and a new health center was built thanks to Valrhona's support.

It is critical for us and our growers to keep the cacao supply trade alive. It's both about protecting rare aromatic cacao varieties and improving the everyday lives of communities. We have built long-term partnerships with our cacao producers in 11 countries. We have invested in hands-on initiatives to improve the quality of life for communities in places like Ghana, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Peru and the Dominican Republic. These initiatives include building schools and health centers, renovating houses and providing access to drinking water. Over 20 community projects have been completed since 2012.

Our sustainability program called Long Live is a long-term commitment to the environment. It is an active initiative to promote sustainable cacao farming among our partner cacao growers. We are a founding member of the Cacao Forest program, which perfectly exemplifies this mission.