For Immediate Release Contact: Christopher Stolarski

Oct. 6, 2005
Borshoff Johnson Matthews
(317) 631-6400 – office
(317) 374-0567 – mobile
cstolarski@bjmpr.com

Endangered Species Chocolate to source Fair Trade, organic coffee beans
Indianapolis-based chocolate company partners with nearby Beans for Better Life

INDIANAPOLIS – Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC), the leading brand of all-natural chocolate, today announced it will begin sourcing coffee beans for its popular Tiger Bars from Noblesville, Ind.-based Beans for Better Life. The Tiger Bars are 3 oz. dark chocolate bars with espresso beans. Each bar has 70 percent cocoa content.

The coffee bean distributor will provide ESC with Fair Trade® organic green coffee beans from Nicaragua. “Fair Trade” is a certification by TransFair USA that ensures bean growers earn fair wages that lead to more sustainable farming practices.

“This is a natural partnership,” ESC CEO Wayne Zink said. “Not only does Beans for Better Life purchase Fair Trade coffee beans, they give back directly to the co-ops. Beans for Better Life aligns perfectly with our mission, and I can think of no better company from which to source beans for our Tiger Bars.”

Beans for Better Life donates 10 percent of its gross profits from all sales back to the farming communities that provide the beans. Similarly, ESC donates 10 percent of its net profits to organizations that support the conservation of species, habitat and humanity.

“Our core value is Reverence for Life,” Zink said. “ All business decisions support Reverence for Life and a deep commitment to save species, conserve habitat and honor human life.”

“We are very excited to be working with ESC,” said Beans for Better Life president Chip McLean. “We’re going to provide them with the perfect bean for their Tiger Bars. It is a hearty bean from Nicaragua that holds up well to a darker roast and has brilliant flavors.”

ESC offers all-natural ethically traded, naturally shade-grown, and kosher products, as well as products that are certified organic and Fair Trade. ESC’s Fair Trade, organic offerings include its 1.4 oz. Baby Bars, Bug Bites and Chimp Mints.

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About Endangered Species Chocolate
Indianapolis-based Endangered Species Chocolate is fully committed to providing customers with delicious, high-quality, all-natural ethically traded, naturally shade-grown, and kosher products, as well as products that are certified organic and Fair Trade. To honor its core value – Reverence for Life – they purchase beans from small family-owned properties where the income benefits the community. ESC also donates 10 percent of its net profits to organizations involved in the conservation of species, habitat and humanity. The n umber one best selling brand of natural chocolate in the natural food category, ESC offers nearly 30 products.  

About Beans for Better Life
Guided by integrity, compassion and dignity, Beans for Better Life purchases only the finest Fair Trade certified green coffee beans from co-ops around the world, guaranteeing that the family farmers who grew the coffee were paid a fair price. The Noblesville, Ind.-based company skillfully and artfully roasts its own beans for each order, ensuring the freshest product possible. Beans for Better Life donates 10 percent of its gross profits back to the communities that supply the coffee. Through health care, educational and infrastructure initiatives, these donations help maintain a sustainable increase in the quality of life for many poor farming communities.