Lidl NI to Launch First Ever Own-Brand Range of Super Fairtrade Chocolate Bars

Lidl Northern Ireland is launching an exciting new range of Super Fairtrade certified chocolate bars under the retailer’s own-brand, Way To Go! for £1.99.

It is the first private label chocolate range in Northern Ireland to contain 100% traceable and sustainably sourced cocoa and Lidl customers will be able to choose from four delicious flavours: Milk Chocolate; Dark Chocolate; Caramelised Almonds & Sea Salt; and Dark Chocolate Pecan Coconut.

Lidl continues to deliver the best value for their customers while helping to close the income gap for cocoa farmers, demonstrating that affordable chocolate can also be sustainable.

Way To Go! is made from 100% traceable cocoa beans grown by farmers from the Kuapa Kokoo co-operative in Ghana.

Through Way To Go! Lidl guarantees cocoa farmers in Ghana the Fairtrade Minimum Price for cocoa and the Fairtrade Premium, which is a sum of money for farmers to invest in their communities.

Lidl has also partnered with Fairtrade to pay an additional ‘Lidl Premium’ on every tonne of cocoa the retailer buys for their new chocolate bar range. Lidl’s Premium invests in training for farmers in sustainable cocoa cultivation and other local crops, helping them diversify and increase their income levels, meaning they are able to support a sustainable future for their families.

Irene Gonzalez, Responsible Sourcing Manager, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland commented: “We’re proud to introduce our own-brand Super Fairtrade chocolate, ‘Way To Go!’ into Lidl stores from 1st October, proving that it’s possible for affordable chocolate to make a difference in the lives of small farmers in Ghana. It’s important for us to lead the way in responsible sourcing which is why we’re constantly looking at new products to add to our growing Fairtrade range and we know our customers will love these delicious, guilt-free chocolate bars!”

Peter Gaynor, Executive Director of Fairtrade Ireland said: “We’re delighted to see Lidl Ireland showing further leadership in the industry with regards to their cocoa supply chains by launching ‘Way to Go!’. We’ve seen huge growth in their Fairtrade cocoa volumes in the last two years, and Lidl’s new ‘Way to Go!’ range demonstrates their commitment to impactful initiatives in this area. The project sees not just the Fairtrade Minimum Price and Premium being paid, but also an extra payment to help diversify and improve farmer incomes. Millions of small scale cocoa farmers in West Africa are impacted by market challenges, and Lidl’s initiative is exactly the kind of support they need to provide for their families and communities.”

Lidl Northern Ireland is committed to sourcing 100% certified sustainable cocoa in all of its own-brand products and the addition of the Way To Go! range has expanded and enhanced their ever-growing sustainable offering, while also strengthening the retailer’s existing longstanding relationship with Fairtrade.

Way To Go! will be available in Lidl’s 39 stores across Northern Ireland from Thursday 1stOctober.