SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alter Eco™, pioneer of globally-crafted organic foods, today published its annual Social Impact Report in honor of Earth Day, which highlights the impact of its cacao reforestation project in the Peruvian Amazon. Having planted 6,567 trees to fully and naturally sequester the 2.6 thousand tons of carbon it emitted in 2015, the carbon negative brand strategically plants within cacao fields where its organic, high-quality cacao is hand-harvested by small scale farmers. Dedicated to full-circle sustainability throughout its supply chain, Alter Eco has planted 28,639 trees since 2008 and plans to plant another 7,776 in 2016.
“At Alter Eco, we believe that food is fundamental to life, and we’ve made it our mission to positively impact the earth with each and every product we produce,” said Mathieu Senard, co-founder and co-CEO of Alter Eco. “Our organic, fair trade chocolates directly impact the San Martin region of Peru, which suffered severe deforestation in the 1980s as it became a red zone for coca production. Together with our partners at Pur Project and cacao producers, ACOPAGRO, we’ve successfully planted within our own supply chain to inset more carbon than we emit. In honor of this year’s Earth Day theme – Trees for the Earth – we’re excited to share the impact of our everyday reforestation efforts.”
Alter Eco’s sustainable reforestation practices help combat climate change, reduce its carbon footprint, protect wildlife, increase biodiversity, enrich soil, diversify farmer income, and provide shade to cacao.
The Social Impact Report also showcases compelling data about the brand’s dedication to fair trade practices, including paying $1.2 million in fair trade premiums since 2009. In addition, the report highlights the brand’s devotion to working towards sustainable packaging, having recently launched its quinoa pouch made of compostable materials, as well as sourcing 1.7 million pounds of organic ingredients in 2015 to craft only organic and non-GMO products.
A Certified Benefit Corporation, Alter Eco operates on four pillars: sourcing using Fair Trade principles, producing of only organic and non-GMO foods, creating minimal waste by working toward 100 percent compostable packaging, and offsetting carbon emissions.
Alter Eco produces high-quality, farmer-grown organic quinoa, rice, sugar and chocolates that are USDA Organic, Fair Trade Certified, Carbon Neutral Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified and Certified Gluten-Free. For more information and details on the global impact of Alter Eco and its products, please visit www.alterecofoods.com.
About Alter Eco
Alter Eco is a pioneer of globally crafted organic foods, including delicious Swiss-made chocolate bars and truffles, Bolivian Royal quinoa, heirloom Thai rice and Mascobado cane sugar. All Alter Eco products are USDA Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified, Carbon Neutral Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified and Certified Gluten-Free. Recognized as a top certified Benefit Corporation and one of the first registered Public Benefit Corporations, Alter Eco is dedicated to full-circle sustainability throughout its operations and supply chain through four pillars: sourcing using Fair Trade principles, producing of only organic and non-GMO foods, creating minimal waste by working towards 100 percent compostable packaging, and in-setting carbon emissions by means of large-scale reforestation programs in the cooperatives that produce its crops. These principals are entwined with Alter Eco’s commitment to the highest quality ingredients and taste in all its products. More information is available at www.alterecofoods.com. Follow Alter Eco via Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest and Instagram.
