Annual Impact Report

Dare to do better. That’s our mantra. As a second-generation, Vermont family company, born from a dare to do better, we’re rooted in our vision to change the world one delicious chocolate at a time.

In 2023, we took our dare to do better to a whole new level by legally becoming a Benefit Corporation. While we were already a certified B Corporation®, dedicated to using business as a force for good, our new legal status ensures that our social and environmental performance is forever a part of Lake Champlain Chocolates.

Year after year the chocolate industry faces increasing challenges, with record-high prices and a third consecutive global supply deficit driven by climate change, crop disease, and economic inequalities. We, at Lake Champlain Chocolates, believe business can — and must—be a force for good in addressing these critical issues. Our work, both now and in the years ahead, is guided by three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Established in 2015 as a global call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.

Our annual impact report highlights just a few of the sustainability initiatives we are tackling. While this report only covers results from the past 12 months, it is a strategic work in progress that has been many years in the making. Employee-led suggestions help shape many of our projects and initiatives. Growth allows us to strengthen what we already do, and improve our local and global community and company, while finding new ways to reduce our environmental impact.

Throughout this process, we’ve also discovered areas for improvement, areas where we can and will dare ourselves to do better. We look forward to having you join us on this mission!

Highlights from our 2026 Impact Report:

• Through our Fair Trade Microgrants program, more than 400 individuals in cocoa-growing communities benefited from projects focused on women’s empowerment, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
  
• Our commitment to employee wellbeing and recognition continued through our Five Star Wow program, with 146 employees recognized by their peers over the past year.
• Our Guided Chocolate Tastings help educate the next generation of conscious consumers. This year, 1,593 people were educated about chocolate production, responsible sourcing, and sensory evaluation, helping build stronger connections between consumers, Vermont tourism, and sustainable chocolate.
• Employee-led sustainability initiatives helped us eliminate 2,000 pounds of plastic packaging, reuse 3,500 pounds of paperboard, recycle 57% of factory waste. 

Take a look at what we've been up to this last year:

Interested in seeing our progress? Read our previous Impact Reports: