The HCP’s mission is to
​
“discover, identify and preserve fine flavor
heirloom cacao varieties for the conservation of biological diversity
and the empowerment of farming communities."

Launched in 2012 in partnership with the USDA-ARS and the Fine Chocolate Industry Association, the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund (HCP) formed in response to the global pressures of environmental change, deforestation, and economic influences threatening the world’s supply of high quality, flavorful cacao. Recognizing that these endangered cacao trees are the foundation for not only delicious chocolate, but also the livelihood of many farmers and farming communities, the HCP is the first initiative to identify and map the world’s finest cacao and designate growers of these endangered trees.

As a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization, the HCP is committed to improving the lives of cacao farmers and their families through educational programs and by providing tangible resources for farmers.  We are working to protect the world’s threatened ​supply of high quality, flavorful chocolate. We encourage ethical cacao farming practices and actively support farmers at origin. 

​The preservation of the  finest chocolate is all about cacao sustainability. Ensuring the survival of exceptional cacao bio-diversity safeguards the future of the industry, and assists with economic, social, and environmental benefits to farmers and their communities.

Discover

We are active and on the ground with local implementing partners of various cacao-producing regions to discover the world's finest cacao.

HCP in Action

Identify

Through bursary sponsorship and grant funding from USDA, USAID, and the Lesley Family Foundation, we are able to submit samples for genetic and flavor analysis in order to allow farmers to understand the potential of their cacao.

Meet our Farmers

Preserve

The HCP is on the ground, providing educational resources implemented by local experts for farmers in order to preserve their exquisite cacao.

Browse our resource library

The Values that Drive Us:

• PLANET
• PROSPERITY
• PEOPLE

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Planet:  Heirloom cacaos often grow within agroforestry environments, inter-cropped with abundant diversity, naturally helping to ensure chocolate sustainability. Preserving these unique species reflects our larger commitment to biodiversity protection and ensuring future generations can enjoy great tasting chocolate.

Prosperity:  Thanks to discerning consumers, heirloom chocolate flourishes well above commodity prices so more revenue flows back to the source of the cacao – the farmers.

People: Heirloom chocolate connects people all the way from the source in the tropics to the stores in town. It goes from gene-to-bar and unwraps the possibilities for the millions of people worldwide who believe life without the very best chocolate is no life at all.

• What do we consider heirloom?
• Meet our partnerships

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The origins of the best tasting chocolate and the global pressures threatening its supply.

What is heirloom cacao?

The HCP works from bean submission, to tasting analysis, to genetic profiling, to widespread recognition. 

How do We Designate Farmers?

Without the support and time dedicated to the HCP by
​our core partners, we simply wouldn't exist.

Meet the Farmers