As you may know, we've started moving into a new chocolate forge in Northern California, which is four times the size of our current space!
This is because global demand for ceremonial cacao keeps surging. Thus, we are taking another leap of faith and making significant investments in this new production space, so that we can continue sharing the healing benefits of cacao with you!
*Below are several photos of our new forge, which is under construction as we write this.
Our building was built in the 1940s, so upgrades are necessary. We are replacing an old section of the floor that wasn't level, and we're building a loading dock that we'll share with our new neighbors (a toy factory!)
Today, we are one of the leading ceremonial cacao suppliers worldwide.
However, the road here wasn’t easy. Many people, including our loan officers, urged us not to start a business that only made 100% cacao without sugar. They said no chocolate company could survive on sales of only 100% cacao because it was considered a very small niche market.
However, we stayed true to our core beliefs—that people desire cacao that is healthy, tastes good, and is alive in spirit. And that people want to heal themselves and their communities with approachable rituals.
Jonas knew how profoundly 100% cacao had altered his life, so he placed a bet that the trend towards ceremonial cacao would only accelerate.
Our Vision Becoming Reality
Jonas’ intuition was correct. Ever since we pivoted from a bean-to-bar operation into a ceremonial cacao company, we’ve found thousands of people around the planet who resonate with those core beliefs. We now serve people in over 50 countries who are coming into a relationship to cacao beyond “candy.
And in most modern cultures that are devoid of ritual, people are increasingly turning to cacao for healing, meaning, connection, and community.
Despite there being only a small fraction of people who know about ceremonial cacao, this trend is rapidly continuing, which is why we still believe that ceremonial cacao will be the future of the chocolate industry.
Cacao Abundance & Impact
Here’s one very revealing data point: in 2020 alone, we purchased more cacao than in our previous four years combined!
Every day, people are learning about the “cacao revival” and discovering how profoundly cacao can increase mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. So, as the demand for cacao has kept growing, we've kept growing with it, and we've worked hard to optimize our production to make sure we consistently have enough cacao in stock! We've also expanded our team to make sure that we have passionate cacao lovers growing the future of Firefly.
Furthermore, our cacao purchases have steadily grown because we stay committed to our purchase contracts. For example, we were one of few cacao buyers who stay committed to their cacao purchases when the pandemic hit. Operating with this sense of integrity provided our farming partners with a much-needed and reliable source of income in this challenging global climate.
On a global level, people are desiring to create waves of social impact through their everyday choices, such as through the foods they buy and consume. This excites us because cacao sourcing models like ours are truly regenerative for people and the planet, rather than exploitative and destructive.
We've innovated our supply chain, which directly supports ~1,000 cacao farming families, who receive on average more than double what they would have received selling the same cacao into the commodity cacao system. In many cases, cacao is more than 75% of their family’s income, so their income is doubled as a result of working with us, which has a humongous impact on their quality of life and economic outlook. Farmers now see a sustainable future in working with cacao, and there is a younger generation of farmers who are excited to work with cacao too!
With each cup of cacao, we are defining a new market based on reciprocity and relationship, healing our expression of our love for chocolate, beyond archaic systems of manipulation and degradation of humans and nature
Thank you for being a part of the "cacao revival" with us! Stay tuned in 2021 as we release exciting new cacaos and other products to continue supporting your rituals for connection, healing, and well-being!
Cacaos For Heart-Centered Work
To stay connected and open while we step into our exciting future, we are drinking these cacaos.
Connected Colombia
ICYMI: Now back in stock! When taking a leap of faith, it's important for us to weave our dreams into the tapestry of life.
This cacao feels: Luxurious, Cozy, Nourishing.
Medicinal Mushroom
To stay grounded and rooted as the fruits of our labors are starting to be revealed, we drink Medicinal Mushroom.
This Enhanced 100% cacao supports us in optimizing our health and immunity as we bring our vision into the world.
This cacao feels: Calming, Nourishing, Grounding.
Thank you for your love and support! How can we support your cacao journey? We'd love to hear from you!
Reply to this email, reach out on social media, or click on the bottom-right-hand corner of our website for help.
With Love, Gratitude, & Cacao,
Jonas & The Firefly Family
