Babson’s Global Society student organization is co-hosting with the AlliancExchange, a talk on the Kallari Association, a coalition of Amazon artists and organic cocoa producers from Ecuador, by Judy Logback, its founder, on Thursday, November 2nd, 6-8 p.m. in Babson’s Olin Hall, Needham/Wellesley Room.
Although chocolate is a staple food for many U.S. citizens, few are familiar with this unique rainforest crop and the world markets that are fueled by our consumption. Cocoa varieties have continued to lose their quality during the past century, but the Kallari varieties of cocoa were somehow rescued by the genetic unraveling of the high quality Forestero variety of Ecuadorian cocoa.
This discussion will also be about fair trade vs. free trade, industry demands, and how niche markets and local processing can help small farm cooperatives earn a living wage by producing organic cocoa beans.
The event is open to the public with a charge of $40 that includes chocolate samples. Money raised will go to the AlliancExchange (The Alliance for Cultural and Economic Exchange) to support economic development projects in Ecuador. It is free for Babson students, faculty, and staff.
The mission of Babson’s Global Society is to provide global awareness by raising and discussing social, political, and economic issues from around the world to the campus community.
The Alliance for Cultural & Economic Exchange, Inc. is a Boston-based non-profit that works towards a sustainable, culturally diverse and compassionate world. The Alliance is dedicated to promoting partnerships among developed and developing communities, in order to foster mutually beneficial global cultural and economic exchange.
