Chocolate made from cocoa grown by village farmers in the Solomon Islands has won gold at the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards in London.

Developed by Foundry Chocolate in New Zealand, the chocolate received the top honor in the plain dark bar category. The cocoa used in the award-winning chocolate is linked to a livelihoods project led by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

“Behind that accolade are village farmers whose livelihoods have been strengthened through fair pricing, skills transfer, and reliable demand,” said Matthew Siliga, director of ADRA and Community Development South Pacific.

Through a joint initiative led by ADRA Solomon Islands and ADRA Australia, farmers across eight rural villages are being supported to grow high-quality cocoa as part of a deliberate trade-based approach to improving livelihoods.

“It’s becoming more than a crop—it’s becoming a pathway to dignity, income and long-term livelihoods,” Siliga said.

The project focuses on improving post-harvest practices, including fermentation, drying, and quality control, enabling village-grown cocoa to compete in premium international markets.

“The results have been transformative,” he said. “Farmers are now receiving price premiums for their beans, reflecting both improved quality and direct market access, rather than being locked into low-value commodity chains.”

Significantly, the quality has attracted global attention. Cocoa from these Solomon Islands communities is now being purchased by leading craft chocolate makers, including Foundry Chocolate.

“What began as a sourcing relationship has since become a partnership with ADRA—linking ethical production, farmer empowerment, and world-class craftsmanship,” Siliga said.

“This cocoa project shows what’s possible when development and trade work hand in hand: local farmers earning more, global consumers enjoying exceptional chocolate, and communities moving from aid dependence toward sustainable, market-driven livelihoods.”

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.