We Made It to the Production Phase!
We are thrilled to announce that Rio Nuevo is through to the Production Phase of the Big Food Redesign Challenge, a project by the Ellen McArthur Foundation in partnership with the Sustainable Food Trust.
Out of 400 global applications, we are among the 150+ products selected to further develop our designs.
The Big Food Redesign Challenge: Transforming Our Food System
This Challenge, launched in May 2023, aims to catalyse and inspire the food industry to build a better food system that regenerates nature, based on the principles of a circular economy. It brings together ambitious producers, retailers, start-ups, and suppliers to design new food products – or redesign existing ones – that help nature thrive.
During the current Production Phase, over 60 organisations across the UK, US, Europe, Africa and Latin America are bringing 150+ products to live. In order to reach this Phase, participants have demonstrated that the majority of their product ingredients are:
Sourced from production systems indicative of regenerative outcomes for nature
Lower impact, diverse, and/or made with upcycled ingredients
Packaged free from problematic materials and include circular economy principles
Our Commitment at Rio Nuevo
At Rio Nuevo, we believe our responsibility extends beyond our chocolate. We’re here to understand, protect, and nurture the natural systems that our cacao depends on. It’s about being aware and active in our efforts to help our producers and our planet.
How Is Rio Nuevo Chocolate Helping Transform Food Systems?
Sustainable Chocolate
We are a sustainable chocolate company committed to the restoration and protection of nature. We source cacao from two of the most biodiverse yet threatened ecosystems on our planet: the Amazon Rainforest and Cloud Forest of Ecuador, of which 98% has been lost to mining and deforestation.
By supporting indigenous stewardship and promoting regenerative agriculture, the forests that our farmers rely on for their livelihoods are protected.
Fair Prices and Responsible Practices
Our work aims to stop deforestation and the expansion of agricultural land use. By paying our farmers 65% above Fairtrade prices, they get a living wage. This allows them to carry out responsible agricultural practices that prioritise biodiversity.
Supporting Seed Diversity
Promoting seed diversity ensures that plant populations—the very foundation of our food systems—remain healthy and resilient against pests, diseases, and changing climate conditions. - One Earth -
In the last 60 years, cacao production in Ecuador has increased by 644%, primarily in monocultures. Only 2 to 3% of cacao production in Ecuador involves agroforestry systems.
Preserving Ancient Cacao Varieties
In the face of deforestation, our farmers grow an ancient cacao variety that is threatened by the expansion of monocrop hybrid varieties that are heavily dependent on agrochemicals. By growing the ancient Arriba Nacional cacao variety, which thrives in biodiverse natural ecosystems, soil health increases, biodiversity corridors are created, and habitats are restored for endangered species. This conscious choice stands against monocrop culture, contributing to the restoration of 699 acres of Ecuador’s Cloud Forest and transforming our current food systems.
Circular Economy Principles in Our Business Model
Our commitment to circular principles and environmental impact extends beyond simply sourcing ingredients. We support our cacao farmers with training and provide them with equipment such as adapted fermentation boxes that use local and natural materials.
This enables the farmers to enhance the quality of their cacao without having to expand their plantations to increase their income. By supporting these farmers in this way, they can continue to protect the forest, use agroforestry practices, and grow moderate quantities of cacao alongside other crops to maintain a healthy ecosystem and improve biodiversity.
Packaging Free from Problematic Materials
Our dedication to sustainability extends to our packaging too. We use Notpla's seaweed packaging for our sustainable drinking chocolate retail boxes. It’s entirely made from natural materials, home compostable, and free from microplastics, ensuring biodegradation in 4-6 weeks.
Embracing a Plastic-Free Future
Our seaweed packaging is a huge step towards a plastic-free future here at Rio Nuevo. Seaweed is a product that grows up to 1 metre a day, doesn’t compete with food crops, doesn’t need fresh water, and actively contributes to de-acidifying our oceans!
Notpla's innovative seaweed technology has become a true game-changer for us. With their partnership and expertise by our side, we are excited to join the movement for a future that embraces sustainability and reduces single-use plastic waste.
At Rio Nuevo, we understand that the choices we make today will shape the world of tomorrow. By focusing on nature-positive food, we aim to restore balance to our ecosystems, protect endangered species, and ensure the resilience of our food sources against climate change.
Nature-positive food is about more than just reducing our footprint; it's about actively healing and nurturing the natural world. Through our sustainable sourcing, fair compensation practices, and support for biodiversity, we are taking tangible steps to create a future where both people and planet thrive.
The transformation of our food system requires collective action, and small businesses like ours play a crucial role in driving this change. We are proud to stand alongside other innovators in the Big Food Redesign Challenge, working towards a shared vision of a healthier, more circular world.
