Global snacking company Feastables joins ICI

The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) has welcomed its newest member, the global snacking company Feastables. Founded in 2022, with the purpose of becoming a force for good, the company works with farmers and their families in cocoa-growing communities throughout West Africa to combat child labour through projects to improve access to education.

"We know this cannot be done alone," underlined Global Head of Ethical Sourcing for Feastables, Adriaan Verbeke, emphasising the power of collaboration with organisations like ICI to foster change. "The International Cocoa Initiative is a shining example of what it takes to bring organisations from across the world together to improve lives - especially those of children - who are at risk of child labour and forced labour in cocoa growing communities."

"Our membership with ICI is a meaningful step for Feastables as we seek to help transform the West African cocoa sector by working on-the-ground with farmers, workers and within their communities to address the inequities faced by millions throughout the supply chain," he said.

Through Feastables' Ethical Sourcing Strategy, the company seeks to get children off of the farms, and into local schools.

Feastables' Ethical Sourcing Strategy is being actioned in three ways:

• Helping farmers and their families earn a living income.
• Investing in local communities, in children's education and their wellbeing.
• Ensuring farmers have access to skilled and mechanised labour to successfully operate their farms, without child labour.

"ICI welcomes the Feastables team, it's really positive to see a relatively young company operating in the cocoa sector take up their duty to ensure that they're creating responsible supply chains that promote human rights," said ICI Executive Director, Matthias Lange. "We look forward to collaborating with Feastables to make an impact for children and lasting change in cocoa-growing communities," he added.