Let's Talk Choc: Sustainable Harvest's Annual Event to Explore Cacao Issues, Production

Already bursting at the proverbial seams, Let’s Talk Coffee’s educational offerings are set to be even more substantial for the upcoming annual event. Hosted by Sustainable Harvest, the green-coffee importer headquartered in Portland, Ore., Let’s Talk Coffee (LTC) famously brings together growers, roasters, agronomists, lending agents, importers, exporters, baristas, and more. Every link on the extended coffee supply chain is represented at LTC, which this year will be held in Panama, October 9 “12.

(Registration is still open but will close soon ”go HERE for details!)

For the first time in LTC’s 13 years, the world of cocoa is set to be explored with the conference-within-a-conference, Let’s Talk Cocoa, held in partnership with Catholic Relief Services and social investor Oikocredit. According to Chris Ryan of Sustainable Harvest, Let’s Talk Cocoa aims to connect cocoa farmers with the global market by bringing together cocoa farmers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders for a series of workshops focused on cocoa production in Latin America.

Within the Let's Talk Coffee conference curriculum in Panama October 9 “12, Let's Talk Cocoa will take place. This first-ever event will include lectures and discussions from leaders in Latin America's cacao industry, along with others on the cacao supply chain. — Within the Let’s Talk Coffee conference curriculum in Panama October 9 “12, Let’s Talk Cocoa will take place. This first-ever event will include lectures and discussions from leaders in Latin America’s cacao industry, along with others on the cacao supply chain.

Attendees to LTC will have full access to all Let’s Talk Cocoa sessions, which will cover topics including understanding the cocoa market, implementing post-harvest practices to increase cocoa quality and consistency, and establishing a common cocoa taste language.

At Let's Talk Cocoa, Stephanie Daniels of Sustainable Food Labs will moderate a panel in which market experts will review trends in the global cocoa market and then zero in on developments in specialty. — At Let’s Talk Cocoa, Stephanie Daniels of Sustainable Food Labs will moderate a panel in which market experts will review trends in the global cocoa market and then zero in on developments in specialty.

Let's Talk Cocoa will get under way on Thursday, October 9, with an introduction from Catholic Relief Services' Jefferson Shriver (pictured) on the potential of the specialty cocoa sector and how the Relationship Model can be applied to launch Relationship Cocoa. — Let’s Talk Cocoa will get under way on Thursday, October 9, with an introduction from Catholic Relief Services’ Jefferson Shriver (pictured) on the potential of the specialty cocoa sector and how the Relationship Model can be applied to launch Relationship Cocoa.

Brad Kintzer and Katie Gilmer (pictured) of Tcho Chocolate will offer a comprehensive look at cocoa's journey from bean to bar that will begin with cocoa on the tree and then cover production at the farm level; evaluation of cocoa in the lab; and production at the factory. — Brad Kintzer and Katie Gilmer (pictured) of Tcho Chocolate will offer a comprehensive look at cocoa’s journey from bean to bar that will begin with cocoa on the tree and then cover production at the farm level; evaluation of cocoa in the lab; and production at the factory.

John Kehoe from Guittard Chocolate will present an overview of specialty cocoa, draw a parallel between that industry and specialty coffee.

“With diseases like coffee leaf rust making it harder than ever for farmers to make a living from coffee, Sustainable Harvest was asked by its partners like Catholic Relief Services and social investor Oikocredit to help collaboratively explore diversification, and cocoa is an obvious choice in Latin America, says David Griswold, Sustainable Harvest founder. œWe’re excited to do this in-depth through the inaugural Let’s Talk Cocoa ”a subset of the Let’s Talk Coffee global event ”not only to give our farmers another income option, but also to bring our Relationship Coffee Model of transparency, reinvestment, and innovation to the specialty cocoa industry.”

Let's Talk Cocoa will debut at this year's Let's Talk Coffee event in Panama October 9 “12. — Let’s Talk Cocoa will debut at this year’s Let’s Talk Coffee event in Panama October 9 “12.

For more information about Let’s Talk Cocoa, go HERE.

For information about Let’s Talk Coffee, including speakers, schedule, and special events, go HERE.