Pip & Nut, the UK’s fastest growing, all natural, nut-based butter and snack brand, has announced that it will now source the cocoa for its confectionary nut butter cups through Tony’s Open Chain. Tony’s Open Chain is an industry-led sourcing initiative, started by chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely, that supports companies in transforming their cocoa supply chains and become sustainability frontrunners. The move makes Pip & Nut the fourth British brand to become a Mission Ally, supporting more sustainable cocoa sourcing across the supply chain.
As a Mission Ally, Pip & Nut joins the likes of Waitrose, Aldi, Ben & Jerry’s and Huel in committing to the Tony’s Open Chain 5 sourcing principles – including rigorous sourcing standards, robust traceability, paying the Living Income Reference Price for cocoa and building long term partnerships with partner cooperatives to support farmers and develop thriving cocoa communities.
This initiative allows Mission Allies to compete on chocolate but collaborate on cocoa, amplifying a collective mission for setting a new, ethical norm in cocoa. In total there are now 16 Mission Allies part of Tony’s Open Chain, all committed to end all forms of exploitation in the industry.
The move by Pip & Nut comes as the brand looks to deepen and strengthen its existing commitments to ethical and sustainable sourcing, which has already seen the business ban palm oil from its products since day one, source 100% of its almonds from the Californian Almond Stewardship Programme which drives sustainable farming practices; and commit to working with FSA accredited peanut suppliers.
Pippa Murray, CEO and founder of Pip & Nut said: “As a B-Corp we have an important role to play in championing ethical and sustainable sourcing across our supply chain. We’ve already started with our biggest ingredients – our nuts – by becoming one of only four participants in the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect against drought and the climate crisis through regenerative agriculture. Joining Tony’s Open Chain is a natural next step, and why we’re so proud to be the first UK snacking brand to become a Mission Ally. From today, our commitment is that all our cocoa will be sourced through the Open Chain, starting with our delicious nut-butter cups, and continuing with any new chocolate product we make. Our hope is that by joining the Open Chain, we can build long-term partnerships with our cocoa suppliers and work collectively to create a fairer, more ethical, sector”.
Kitty Pandya, UK&I sales manager at Tony’s Open Chain, said: “We are delighted that Pip & Nut have joined Tony’s Open Chain as a new Mission Ally. Pip & Nut is a brand which has always and continues to truly advocate ethical and sustainable sourcing, and we welcome their commitment to the Tony’s Open Chain movement – to end exploitation in cocoa, together. This innovative and fast-growing brand joins a group of committed brands and retailers that see a better way of sourcing cocoa. Together, we can amplify our impact and drive meaningful change, working on a brighter future for cocoa farmers and their communities.”
