Chocolate made from cocoa grown by village farmers in the Solomon Islands has won gold at the prestigious
Academy of Chocolate Awards in London.

Developed by Foundry Chocolate in New Zealand, the chocolate received the top honour in the plain dark bar category. The cocoa used in the award-winning chocolate is linked to a livelihoods project led by the Adventist
Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

“Behind that accolade are village farmers whose livelihoods have been strengthened through fair
pricing, skills transfer and reliable demand,” said Matthew Siliga, director of ADRA and Community Development South Pacific.

Through a joint initiative led by ADRA Solomon Islands and ADRA Australia, farmers across eight rural villages are
being supported to grow high-quality cocoa as part of a deliberate trade-based approach to improving livelihoods.

“It’s becoming more than a crop,” Mr Siliga said. “It’s becoming a pathway to dignity, income and long-term livelihoods.”

The project, which is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), focuses on improving post-harvest practices. This includes fermentation, drying, and quality control, enabling village-grown cocoa to compete in premium international markets.

“The results have been transformative,” Mr Siliga said. “Farmers are now receiving price premiums for their beans, reflecting both improved quality and direct market access, rather than being locked into low-value commodity chains.”

Significantly, the quality has attracted global attention. Cocoa from these Solomon Islands communities is now being purchased by leading craft chocolate makers, including Foundry Chocolate.

“What began as a sourcing relationship has since become a partnership with ADRA, linking ethical production, farmer empowerment and world-class craftsmanship,” said Mr Siliga. “This cocoa project shows what’s possible when development and trade work hand in hand: local farmers learning more, global consumers enjoying exceptional chocolate and communities moving from aid dependence toward sustainable, market-driven livelihoods.”

This article was originally written for and published by the Adventist Record.