What is direct trade?

Beyond creating great chocolate, one of the main goals of Askinosie Chocolate is to create direct trade relationships with partner farmers around the globe. "Askinosie Chocolate pioneered, in the cocoa industry, what's called direct trade," says founder Shawn Askinosie. "Fair trade is a third-party certifying model where you get to stamp on your chocolate bar that your beans are fair trade certified. One of the reasons I don't believe in it is many studies have indicated that farmers don't end up with the premium that's paid."

Shawn's solution? Trade directly with the farmers and develop relationships that ensure those farmers are treated fairly, paid well and are partners in the success of the company.