ZORA Chocolate Company
Inspire to Empower Women & Cocoa Growers Through Chocolate
1 🍫 Chocolate Bar = 1 Academic School Day
Project Description
WHO WE ARE
We are ZORA.
Woman-Led, Woman-Run and Woman-Operated
Profit for purpose bean-to-bar chocolate company (Organic & Vegan), committed to sustainable solutions for economically viable growth and prosperity.
Our mission is to champion a radical change in the way that the world sees West African cocoa.
We want chocolate to mean more.
ZORA chocolate is synonymous with equity, inclusivity and meaningful connection.
WHY DOES SINGLE ORIGIN GHANA MATTER?
1. Traceability & Transparent Cocoa-Chocolate Supply Chain
Over 70% of cocoa comes from West Africa (Ghana & Ivory Coast), as with many industries, there are significant disparities within the cocoa-chocolate supply chain.
When chocolate companies have direct access to their cocoa supply, they can ensure that that more income goes back to the cocoa farmers. These companies are also better positioned to directly impact the lives of farmers and their communities.
At ZORA, we source cocoa ethically and transparently, not only by supporting transparent trade practices in West Africa, but by addressing farming community needs to enable sustainable opportunities for their futures, bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.
2. Equality & Empowerment
Many farming communities face barriers to grow and limited opportunities. Proper education, in particular for women and girls, is limited.
This is certainly true in Sub-Sharan Africa, which has among the highest education education exclusion rates worldwide. 6 million girls between the ages of 6-11 will never go to school (unesco).
ZORA is partnering up with schools and training centers in West African cocoa growing regions to sponsor the education for girls and vocational training for women.
3. Inclusivity
There is a void in the specialty chocolate industry for products of West African origin.
Even though, Ghana and Ivory Coast represent the largest producing region world wide, they are barely represented within the fine specialty market.
There are many contributing factors that pose challenges to source cocoa from this region. However, not only is it important to represent West Africa in fine specialty chocolate, it is also clear that on average chocolate consumers have a preference for chocolate sourced from Ghana and Ivory Coast, as it fits their expectations.
At ZORA, we are determined to fill this void and make single origin Ghanaian chocolate.
For You, With You // We are in the very midst of our product development and we want your help to launch 4 flavors this fall. So, check out our exclusive Taste Tester Reward on your right so you can be a part of our R&D Team!
HOW WE ARE DOING IT?
ZORA PARTNERS:
COCOA BEAN SOURCING: ABOCFA COOPERATIVE, Ghana
Located in Suhum (Eastern region of Ghana) and the 1st cooperatives certified Fair Trade & Organic.
- 900+ cocoa farmers
- Rigorous post-harvest training
- Distributing 45% of certification profits back to farmers in the form of cash payments, dividing the premium based on volume of beans delivered.
- Funding community social projects include children's education and financial literacy.
COCOA BEAN IMPORTER: Uncommon Cacao
Female founded and operated company, sourcing cocoa from all over the world.
- Engaging in transparent trade practices
- 2019 Harvest: Uncommon Cacao paid 16% higher prices than the Ghanaian farm gate.
CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS: MADE IN THE USA
ZORA chocolate bars are made and packaged in Florida.
72% Single Origin Ghana Dark Chocolate Bars: 2 oz (60 grams)
| ZORA Chocolate Ingredient List |
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| ZORA Chocolate Benefits |
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| ZORA Chocolate Flavor Notes & Characteristics |
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For You, With You // We are in the very midst of our product development and we want your help to launch 4 flavors this fall. So, check out our exclusive Taste Tester Reward on your right so you can be a part of our R&D Team!
YOUTH SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
Economic empowerment starts with youth.
To that end, we are partnering up with the Tarkwa Breeman Girl's School (TBGS), operated by Cocoa360, a non-profit organization, pioneering a self-sustaining model of rural development with both a community school (TBGS) and a clinic, founded by Shadrack Frimpong.
1 🍫 Chocolate Bar = 1 Academic School Day
A portion of the purchase price of every ZORA chocolate bar funds one school day for a student at Tarkwa Breeman Girls' School.
ABOUT TARKWA BREEMAN GIRLS' SCHOOL (TBGS)
Cocoa360's TBGS overcomes barriers to education by investing in community resources and putting farmers and their families in the driver's seat to improve their communities from within.
TBGS serves 8 communities including 167 students enrolled in 6 grade levels.
WHAT DO CROWDFUNDING CONTRIBUTIONS SUPPORT?
Funding will cover start-up costs associated with ZORA's dark chocolate single-origin Ghana bars:
MANUFACTURING
72% Dark Chocolate Single Origin Ghana Bars
- Fleur de Sel
- Vanilla Rose & Amaranth
- Almond & Orange Blossom
- Roasted Peanuts & Cherry
Chocolate Making Process
- Step 1: Sorting & Cleaning of Cocoa Beans
- Step 2: Roasting Cocoa Beans
- Step 3: Winnowing (Removing the Shell)
- Step 4: Grinding & Conching
- Step 5: Tempering Chocolate
- Step 6: Molding
PACKAGING
SHIPPING TO YOU!
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
My name is Fatima Zohra Hakam (aka FZ) and this is my story.
As a longtime chocolate lover, I felt a strong need to make a meaningful impact in chocolate, especially after diving deeper into the production of chocolate and cocoa farmer living conditions.
As a 26-year-old Moroccan woman, I understand the challenges that women face in trying to achieve their goals. That is why I want to support women's economic empowerment.
My hopes through ZORA are to inspire those who share my values and to use all available resources to recognizes, celebrate and empower those who are currently invisible.
Two years ago, I set out on my chocolate producing journey.
My initial objective was to establish a chocolate processing facility in the East Agona District of Ghana.
After visiting Ghana, I realized that this would be very difficult given my status as a foreigner and other logistical, legal hurdles. And yet, despite my setbacks and the pandemic, I remained more determined than ever to impact the lives of women and girls in cocoa-growing communities in West Africa.
With your support, we can produce high quality single origin bean-to-bar Ghanaian chocolate that recognizes and celebrates the very individuals who make this delicacy possible.
As consumer demand for ethical business practices becomes more prevalent, ZORA will continue to push the boundaries of social entrepreneurship, one bite at a time.
ZORA is leading a new generation of African entrepreneurs in sustainable business practices. Together, we can galvanize the industry and create a new age of chocolate, that will serve as a global example.
With Love,
FZ Hakam xx
I'd love to hear from you. Reach out if you have any questions or just want to say hi : [email protected]
WE APPRECIATE YOU, THANK YOU!!
MEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Aspire Magazine, Entrepreunista
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
What is Bean-to-Bar Chocolate?
Think Farm-to-Table but with chocolate. It is a chocolate making process that starts with the cocoa beans, all the way up to the final steps of making chocolate. It ensures higher quality products and greater oversight on how your chocolate is being made.
Why is ZORA targeting West Africa?
West Africa (predominantly Ghana and Ivory Coast) is the largest cocoa producer in the world, accounting for about 70% of the global output. Farmers only receive 3-4% of the overall profits in an industry valued at over $100 billion. At ZORA, we want to make chocolate more meaningful by focusing our impact on the very producers who need it the most.
Why is ZORA focusing on Women’s Economic Empowerment?
In Africa, women produce 61% of economic goods, yet account for only 8.5% of non-agricultural employee jobs. Gender norms are constraining towards women, as they have less bargaining power compared to their male counterparts.
Are ZORA Chocolate bars healthy?
Dark chocolate is the healthiest chocolate that you can eat, because it has a higher cocoa content. ZORA chocolate bars are all dark chocolate, vegan free from soy, gluten, dairy, artificial preservatives, or any of that junk. Our ingredients are simple and clean: cocoa beans, sugar and cocoa butter + natural inclusion ingredients for our flavored bars.
Besides donating through a monetary contribution, how else can I help?
We'd love for you to spread the word, share the campaign widely and follow us on our social pages.
Because I Care
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 20 Carefully Curated Chocolate Recipes
+ 2 Chocolate Bars (of your choice)
+ Student Sponsorships (2 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 20 Carefully Curated Chocolate Recipes
+ 4 Chocolate Bars (of your choice)
+ Student Sponsorships (4 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 20 Carefully Curated Chocolate Recipes
+ 7 Chocolate Bars (of your choice)
+ Student Sponsorships (7 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 20 Carefully Curated Chocolate Recipes
+ 2 Month Subscription (12 Bars of your choice)
+ ZORA Gift Box (4 Bars)
+ Student Sponsorships (16 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 20 Carefully Curated Chocolate Recipes
+ 5 Month Subscription (30 Bars of your choice)
+ 1 ZORA Gift Box (4 Bars)
+ Student Sponsorships (34 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 25 Carefully Created Chocolate Recipes
+ 8 Month Subscription (48 Bars of your choice)
+ 1 ZORA Gift Box (4 Bars)
+ 1 Influencer Gift Package
+ Student Sponsorships (60 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Exclusive Branded Merch: Sweatshirt
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 25 Carefully Created Chocolate Recipes
*At the end of the campaign we will email you for your size and your preferred color option.
We figured that if we're making chocolate for you, it's only logical to make it with you.
+ Super Secret Chocolate Base Recipe (+ option to get on a call with R&D team to help us pick launch flavors).
+ 10 Month Subscription (60 Bars of your choice)
+ Influencer Gift Package
+ 1 ZORA Gift Box (4 Bars)
+ Student Sponsorships (72 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Exclusive Branded Merch: Sweatshirt
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 25 Carefully Created Chocolate Recipes
*At the end of the campaign we will email you for your size and your preferred color option.
The opportunity to work directly with the ZORA team to design your very own chocolate bar, customized with your name - exclusively made for you.
+ 8 Customized ZORA Chocolate Bars
+ 1 Year Subscription (72 Bars of your choice)
+ 1 Gift Box (4 Bars)
+ 1 Gift Boxes to a loved one (4 Bars)
+ 1 Influencer Package
+ Student Sponsorship: 88 Academic School Days at TBGS
+ Exclusive Branded Merch: Sweatshirt & Hat (Customized with your name)
*At the end of the campaign we will email you for your size and your preferred color option.
* Limited Availability: 5 Contributors
The ultimate chocolate angel. You are helping us create a safer world through chocolate. In addition to all of the rewards we offer combined, we will get in touch with you to see how we can best thank you!
Rewards
Because I Care
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 20 Carefully Curated Chocolate Recipes
+ 2 Chocolate Bars (of your choice)
+ Student Sponsorships (2 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 20 Carefully Curated Chocolate Recipes
+ 4 Chocolate Bars (of your choice)
+ Student Sponsorships (4 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 20 Carefully Curated Chocolate Recipes
+ 7 Chocolate Bars (of your choice)
+ Student Sponsorships (7 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 20 Carefully Curated Chocolate Recipes
+ 2 Month Subscription (12 Bars of your choice)
+ ZORA Gift Box (4 Bars)
+ Student Sponsorships (16 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 20 Carefully Curated Chocolate Recipes
+ 5 Month Subscription (30 Bars of your choice)
+ 1 ZORA Gift Box (4 Bars)
+ Student Sponsorships (34 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 25 Carefully Created Chocolate Recipes
+ 8 Month Subscription (48 Bars of your choice)
+ 1 ZORA Gift Box (4 Bars)
+ 1 Influencer Gift Package
+ Student Sponsorships (60 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Exclusive Branded Merch: Sweatshirt
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 25 Carefully Created Chocolate Recipes
*At the end of the campaign we will email you for your size and your preferred color option.
We figured that if we're making chocolate for you, it's only logical to make it with you.
+ Super Secret Chocolate Base Recipe (+ option to get on a call with R&D team to help us pick launch flavors).
+ 10 Month Subscription (60 Bars of your choice)
+ Influencer Gift Package
+ 1 ZORA Gift Box (4 Bars)
+ Student Sponsorships (72 Academic School Days for TBGS)
+ Exclusive Branded Merch: Sweatshirt
+ Social Media Appreciation Shoutout
+ 25 Carefully Created Chocolate Recipes
*At the end of the campaign we will email you for your size and your preferred color option.
The opportunity to work directly with the ZORA team to design your very own chocolate bar, customized with your name - exclusively made for you.
+ 8 Customized ZORA Chocolate Bars
+ 1 Year Subscription (72 Bars of your choice)
+ 1 Gift Box (4 Bars)
+ 1 Gift Boxes to a loved one (4 Bars)
+ 1 Influencer Package
+ Student Sponsorship: 88 Academic School Days at TBGS
+ Exclusive Branded Merch: Sweatshirt & Hat (Customized with your name)
*At the end of the campaign we will email you for your size and your preferred color option.
* Limited Availability: 5 Contributors
The ultimate chocolate angel. You are helping us create a safer world through chocolate. In addition to all of the rewards we offer combined, we will get in touch with you to see how we can best thank you!