Waitrose becomes the first UK retailer to join Tony’s Open Chain!

Sweet news just in.. Our very good friends, Waitrose, have partnered with Tony’s Open Chain to source 9 Waitrose own brand chocolate bars. They’ll be the very first grocery retailer in the UK to officially join our fight to end exploitation in cocoa together. Becoming our latest Mission Ally. 

By joining Tony’s Open Chain, Waitrose has committed to all 5 of our 5 Sourcing Principles. Which include paying farmers a higher price to enable them to earn a living income, building long-term partnerships with farmer cooperatives and using 100% traceable beans to drive down child labour and prevent deforestation. Cocoa sourced according to Tony’s 5 Sourcing Principles is proven to be 100% verified deforestation free, to reduce child labour from 46.7% (industry average) to 4.4% and to contribute 62% to cocoa household income in Côte d’Ivoire. Heck yeah! 

With Waitrose on board, we now have a grand total of 15 Mission Allies, including us and other friends like Ben & Jerry's, Albert Heijn, Huel and Pleese. What a dream team!  

The full range of 9 bars will be available across all UK stores from this week (Monday April 8) - you’ll recognize ‘em by their bright yellow Tony’s Open Chain button on the front. Whoop whoop! 

Sanne Van Zon-Arts, Head of Sales, Tony’s Open Chain said: 

“We are thrilled to welcome Waitrose as a new mission ally in Tony’s Open Chain. Being the first UK retailer to join us, Waitrose will pave the way for changing the norm in cocoa and offering consumers more opportunities to choose responsible chocolate for which farmers are paid the living income reference price. Together we will make significant impact and take serious steps to end exploitation in cocoa.” 

Welcome to the team, Waitrose!  

Pssst.. Wanna find out more about Tony’s Open Chain? Head to their website: https://www.tonysopenchain.com/