Waitrose is set to expand the amount of its seasonal chocolate lines that it sources via Tony’s Open Chain.
The retailer joined Tony’s Open Chain as a ‘Mission Ally’ in 2024. The partnership initially covered six Waitrose own brand chocolate bars and three Cooks’ Ingredients bars, which were made using segregated cocoa.
Under the expanded agreement, over half of Waitrose seasonal chocolate will now be sourced via Tony’s Open Chain Mass Balance. The Mass Balance model means Waitrose commits to buying the required amount of cocoa beans in advance from participating Tony’s cocoa farms.
Tony’s Open Chain’s principles include 100% traceable beans, committing to pay the Living Income Reference Price for cocoa to help bridge the gap to a living income for farmers, investing in professionalisation of farmer co-operatives to empower local communities, working with suppliers on multi-year agreements to offer income, and supporting farmers to improve yield and agricultural practices safely.
“We’re proud to extend our partnership with Tony’s Chocolonely through Tony’s Open Chain,” said Marija Rompani, director of ethics and sustainability at John Lewis Partnership.
“Enhancing our responsible sourcing standards is an essential part of building resilient supply chains that deliver the high-quality ethically sourced products our customers expect, both now and in the future.
“By broadening our sourcing of cocoa through Tony’s Open Chain, we hope to show what’s possible and to encourage other retailers and brands to join in its shared mission to help end exploitation in the cocoa supply chain once and for all.”
Tony’s Open Chain general manager Rianne van Doeveren added: “When we talk about impact, we’re talking about real families in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire whose livelihoods depend on cocoa.
“Waitrose’s extension of their partnership with Tony’s Open Chain is not symbolic, it’s a practical change.
“More cocoa will be flowing through a supply chain that commits to higher cocoa prices for the long term, traces the beans sourced, and invests directly in the communities that grow them.
“These farmers deserve partners who show up properly, and that’s exactly what Waitrose is doing.
“We thank Waitrose for their trust, dedication and passion in expanding the volume of cocoa sourced via our impact model and proving that it’s possible to create more equitable supply chains.”
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