ORIGIN TRIP #24: DAVAO, PHILIPPINES- 2015

Shawn shares updates from the first origin trip of 2015, to work with our cocoa farmer partners in Davao, Philippines. On the first day, I visited Malagos Elementary School where we began the first Sustainable Lunch Program three years ago.

I’ve worked with Peter (featured on the front of our Davao bars) for nearly 8 years now and are honored to call him our farmer partner.

A little post-meeting warrior two pose with non-governmental agency cocoa workers here (and City Council member) in Davao Philippines.

I was presented a Davao City Council resolution for Askinosie Chocolate commending our contribution to the cacao industry and social impact there– for placing “Davao cocoa beans on the world map”, initiating “a sustainable malnutrition program”.

Beans drying in the sun! While in Davao, Philippines, I inspected the post harvest site where our beans are fermented and dried.

In my 10 years of looking for cocoa beans around the world I’ve seen a lot of poverty. I think urban poverty might be the worst.