Health instead of exploitation

Tony’s Chocolonely
Photo provided
Photo provided
Alexandra Gorsche © Conny Leitgeb Photography
7. January 2026 | 
Alexandra Gorsche
7. January 2026
|
Alexandra Gorsche

“Everyone deserves access to good, affordable healthcare. For many cocoa farmers, however, this is still far from reality.”
Tony’s Chocolonely

Sweet isn’t enough – How Tony’s Chocolonely combines health equity with chocolate

Health program for cocoa farmers

An expanded health program for 5,000 families shows that sustainability begins with fairness in the supply chain. Anyone talking about sustainability in the hospitality industry today needs to think beyond organic ingredients and fair trade labels. Sustainable gastronomy begins where the ingredients are grown. A prime example of this is Tony's Chocolonely, the Dutch impact company that fights exploitation, poverty, and child labor in cocoa farming with its open supply chain and radically fair business model.

The latest milestone: Together with the Elucid health network, Tony's is expanding its successful health program for cocoa farmers from Ghana to Côte d'Ivoire. This will give 5,000 more families access to medical care, vaccinations, and mobile clinical care – in a region where health is still a luxury.

Tony's health program in Côte d'Ivoire

  • Access to health insurance (CMU) for 5,000 families
  • Vaccinations for over 140,000 children, including malaria
  • Mobile clinics reach remote cocoa communities
  • Financing through long-term higher cocoa prices & support from GIZ, BMZ, GAVI
  • Goal: community-supported, lasting improvement in living conditions

Active step against exploitation

This is not just about medical aid, but about structural change: farmers are to gradually take on contributions themselves in order to support the programs in the long term. At the same time, Tony's continues to pay a premium for fair trade cocoa – an active step against the poverty that fuels exploitation in the industry.

Impetus for the industry:

  • Sustainability must be considered throughout the entire supply chain
  • Health care is a human right – and an economic lever against poverty
  • Brands that make responsibility visible and verifiable gain trust and relevance

From Genusspunkt 3/2025

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
Photo provided

Trend Report: Sectors of the Hospitality Industry

New Demands on the Food Service Industry in a Modern World

Across all areas of life, the food service industry is becoming more emotional, flexible, and relevant: Chain restaurants are showing more character, transit dining is evolving from a quick stop to an experiential space, and in the context of New Work, cuisine is becoming a central factor for culture, health, and employer attractiveness.

Trend Report: Segments of the Hospitality Industry

Culinary Arts as the Driving Force Behind Urban Spaces

Culinary arts are becoming a central component of urban spaces: In mixed-use projects, they drive foot traffic, foster a sense of identity, and redefine places. As a social engine, gastronomy connects people, revitalizes neighborhoods, and often becomes the first visible sign of change. At the same time, it gives brick-and-mortar retail new relevance—extending dwell times, increasing foot traffic, and making brands immediately tangible.

Trend Report: Sectors of the Hospitality Industry

From Product to Experience – How Bakeries and Hotels Are Captivating Customers in New Ways

Bakeries are transforming into favorite urban destinations. Less variety, more statement. Bread becomes an experience – visible, fragrant, emotional. But hotels, too, are becoming living environments – and F&B the strongest differentiator in the competition for attention.

quick & dirty
Photo provided
Health instead of exploitation

Sweet isn’t enough – How Tony’s Chocolonely combines health equity with chocolate