It’s a tough job but someone has to do it!

Together with you, our member-owners we’ve been championing Fairtrade for 30 years. This year, as we celebrate three decades of support, we’ve launched a brand-new Fairtrade chocolate bar inspired by Co-op Members just like you.

As bars of our member-created Chunky Salted Caramel and Pretzel chocolate with Fairtrade cocoa, vanilla and sugar hit stores, we invited a small group of members to an exclusive tasting event at our support centre in Manchester to find out what they thought of the chocolate they helped to develop.

Watch the short video below to hear what they had to say.

Our member-created chocolate story

Last year, more than 70,000 members joined in to share their ideal chocolate bar flavour combinations with us, and in January, you chose your favourite from our shortlist.

As voted for by you, bars of our Fairtrade Chunky Salted Caramel and Pretzel chocolate landed on shelves in Co-op stores in July.

Box-packaged, funky in shape and geometric in design, the 150g bar contains 80% milk chocolate with Fairtrade cocoa, vanilla and sugar, salted pretzel balls and salted caramel pieces.

Members told us how much they enjoyed turning their hand to product design and sharing ideas to help us develop their dream chocolate bar, and you couldn’t wait to try it.

Here are just some of your comments:

“I really like the sound of this because the savoury ‘pretzel/salt’ aspect would contrast well with the caramel.”

S Whitaker, Exeter

“Yes!!!!! Sweet salty caramelly and chocolate! I’m in on this one for sure.”

Sian Twigge, Pontybodkin

“Sounds like a great combination of sweet and salty with the chocolate melty-mouth feel.”

Alison  Cross, Isle of Bute

“Not a pretzel person but some bites with chocolate are the biz. Yummy, totally enjoyed.”

Julie Davies, Glasgow

“Yes, this is something a bit different so I’m excited about this one.”

Jan Healing, Brackley

“Sounds delicious. I agree that sweet and savoury flavours can go well together, and this sounds like a good combination.”

Elizabeth Macdonald, Pudsey

Championing 30 years of Fairtrade

Driven by our passionate members, we’ve championed Fairtrade from the very beginning. And this year we’re incredibly proud to be celebrating 30 years of Fairtrade. That’s three decades of standing with farmers and workers for fairer terms of trade, supporting them to improve their livelihoods and their communities.

The chocolate in our Chunky Salted Caramel and Pretzel chocolate bar is sourced from smallholder farmers in Peru, meaning all the ingredients that can be Fairtrade, are Fairtrade, just like in our entire own-brand block chocolate range.

The Fairtrade Premium from sales of the chocolate bar is being used to invest in medical facilities and equipment. So, the benefits go beyond its delicious taste, meaning producers are paid a fairer wage and are supported to improve their livelihoods and invest in their communities.

Help us celebrate this Fairtrade Fortnight

We’re celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight from 9 – 22 September, and there’s lots of ways you can get involved!

Don’t miss our online chocolate event for Fairtrade Fortnight on Tuesday 24 September, 7-8pm. Book your free place here.

Raise a glass with us as we virtually visit Argentina in our online Fairtrade wine event onThursday 26 September, 7-8pm. Book your free place here.

We’ll also have some local events taking place in stores across the UK, so keep a look out to see if there’s one near you. 

There are always opportunities for Co-op Members to get involved in shaping Co-op products. Find out what’s available now by joining in on your online Membership account.