Belvas: How one Belgian chocolate company’s bean-to-bar project directly helps cocoa farmers

Easter is synonymous with eating chocolate and in Belgium – touted as the world capital for cocoa treats – the choice of eggs and chocolate delights is second to none. But one chocolate manufacturer, who is pioneering a €2 million Fairtrade project in West Africa, has this timely message for families. “You can’t buy an Easter egg that is not Fairtrade because how can a child in Belgium be happy with the child labour over there,” says Thierry Noesen, founder and director of Hainaut-based Belvas, European market leader in organic and Fairtrade chocolate and truffles.