The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Partnership Meeting held in Brussels, Belgium on October 14 and 15, 2009 will focus on building the capacity for a sustainable cocoa sector. Over 150 representatives from the cocoa and chocolate industry, cocoa-producing countries, government agencies, development organizations and civil society are attending the two-day meeting.

Representatives of the Government of Belgium will speak on the topic of public-private partnerships. Other highlights of the agenda include: workshops on building capacity at the individual, community and national levels; roundtable discussions on extension, community health and safety, and the environment; and a panel focusing on new initiatives in cocoa science.

At the start of the meeting, WCF Chairman Karl "Kip" Walk of Blommer Chocolate Company announced WCF's new officers for the 2010-2011 term. Gerry Manley of Olam International Ltd. and Steve Genzoli of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company were elected co-vice chairmen and Anne Alonzo of Kraft Foods was elected secretary/treasurer. Mr. Walk acknowledged outgoing Co-Vice Chairmen Clive Barnes of Nestlé and Jeff Morgan of Mars, Incorporated and outgoing Secretary/Treasurer Alain Fredericq of Archer Daniels Midland Co. for their many years of service. All three will continue to represent their companies on the Foundation’s Executive Committee.

WCF also welcomed three new member companies: Dependable Distribution Services (based in the United States), Multi-Trex Investments PLC (based in Nigeria), and Rizek Cacao C. por A. (based in the Dominican Republic).

About the World Cocoa Foundation
Established in 2000, the World Cocoa Foundation is a leader in promoting economic and social development and environmental stewardship in 15 cocoa-producing countries around the world. With nearly 70 member companies from the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa, the Foundation actively supports a range of farm-level programs harnessing sustainable agriculture practices to improve the quality of life for the millions of smallholder farmers growing this unique crop. For more information about the World Cocoa Foundation, visit: www.worldcocoafoundation.org

World Cocoa Foundation

World Cocoa Foundation

The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is an international nonprofit membership foundation that promotes a sustainable cocoa economy by providing cocoa farmers with the tools they need to grow more and better cocoa, market it successfully, and make greater profits. WCF's membership includes more than 90 cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, processors, supply chain managers, and other companies worldwide. Member companies range in size from small and medium size firms to large international corporations and represent over 80% of the global cocoa market. For more information, visit www.worldcocoa.org.

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