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Entry #12:  Sustainable and Locally Produced Chocolates

1/8/2011

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Entry #12–  January 7, 2011

Highest Quality Chocolates - Produced in Michigan and Serving the World

I am a Fair Trade and sustainability advocate, and I love chocolate. So, it’s great to combine those passions. Mimi Wheeler is doing wonderful things with chocolates and foes them in sustainable ways at her company in Empire, Michigan: Grocer’s Daughter Chocolates. Walking into Grocer's Daughter is akin to walking into the wonderful smells and tastes of chocolate shop in the movie "Chocolat" but with the cheerfulness, inside and out, of bright colors typical of Mexico's Caribbean or Ecuador's coastal towns. The flavors vary including pear, ginger, apricot orange, sunflower seed, chilis, and more. Each handmade chocolate is gorgeous, too.    

I visited with Mimi Wheeler in June of 2010. I went to the Traverse City area to learn about organic, Fair Trade, and sustainable products being produced here in Michigan. Ms. Wheeler works closely with three others I interviewed: Chris Treter (Higher Grounds Coffees http://highergroundstrading.com ), Angela Mache (Light of Day Organic Teas http://lightofdayorganics.com ), and Timothy Young (Food for Thought http://www.foodforthought.net ). I love the fact that folks involved in the sustainability movement work with each other. For example, Grocers' Daughter folks use Food for Thought preserves in their chocolates, and Higher Grounds sells Grocer’s Daughter chocolates and Light of Day Teas.   

People in Fair Trade, organics, cooperatives, and similar movements work together to give a hand up to others around the world. For example,  Ms. Wheeler works with folks in a village in Ecuador helping them produce chocolates.  Here is an article about that project: http://www.mlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2010/12/ecuador_chocola-tour_has_ties.html. Additionally, Ms Wheeler and Jody Treter (a co-founder of Higher Grounds Coffee) have established a company called GoBe to help indigenous producers in Ecuador through micro-loans.  

copyright© 2011 by Paulette L. Stenzel for  text and photo.  


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    Paulette L. Stenzel

     I am Professor Emerita of International Business Law and Sustainability at Michigan State University (MSU). I continue  to teach part time at MSU and  coordinate the Broad College Ethical Leadership program Additionally, I advise Spartan Global Development Fund, a student-driven microfinance organization, and serve on its non-profit 501(c)(3) Board of Directors.  . 

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    I am also  a mom,  learner, writer,  violinist, environmentalist -in -process, traveler, and avid reader.  
      
    ​Through research, service, and public speaking, I share information and perspectives  on teaching, ethical leadership, and the pursuit of more sustainable ways of living and doing business. 


    Photo above:  Francisco Vinega, Jade Artist,  Guatemala, with Paulette Stenzel.  
    Contact me at [email protected].

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