Our story

Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC) was founded in 1993 in effort to spread awareness and to make an impact on the growing number of plant and animal species that are disappearing from Earth. Since then the mission has grown to embrace a new definition of " endangered "-that all species, habitat and humanity are endangered on our planet, not just animals on a list. 10 percent of our net profits are donated to help support species, habitat and humanity. To keep up with growing demand for premium chocolate with a cause, and to take advantage of a centralized Midwest location to reduce shipping costs and time, in 2005 ESC moved from its original 5,000-square-foot facility in Oregon to Indiana. The Indianapolis facility provides 43,000 square feet and is expandable to 77,000 square feet. In keeping with our commitment to protect species and our environment, the building is LEED® registered by the U.S. Green Building Rating Council and ESC is pursuing LEED certification. We continually research and implement ways to reduce our carbon footprint. ESC confirms that all of our chocolate is created from ethically traded, shade-grown cacao grown on small family-owned properties that support the habitats and communities in which they exist. In February 2006, four ESC team members traveled to the Ikom region of Nigeria where we source some of our all-natural cacao. While observing ethical trade in action, ESC sponsored the provision of school supplies for nearly 2000 children and the installation of water pumps for two local villages. In 2007, ESC sponsored a medical missionary to Nigeria and in 2008 two representatives from ESC will participate in a medical mission in Nigeria. Additionally, representatives will visit farming cooperatives in Ivory Coast, the newest source for our all-natural cacao. There they plan to document the sustainable and responsible harvest of cacao. ESC's organic cacao is sourced from Peru to create ten varieties of organic milk and dark chocolate bars in addition to bite-sized treats. We plan to visit cacao farmers in Peru in summer 2008. Fair prices are paid for all harvested products used in making Endangered Species Chocolate's all-natural and organic chocolate products and a fair wage and humane working conditions are ensured for all workers. Today, more than 30 ESC products are available to customers who crave premium, all-natural chocolate – and who share our commitment to protect Earth. Many bars are identified with an at-risk species …