Italian Foodtech gears up to bolster sustainability within the cocoa value chain

In response to global challenges, promising innovations are emerging from the Italian start-ups’ ecosystem to support the cocoa supply chain. Two pioneering start-ups, chosen through FoodSeed, the foodtech acceleration program of the National Network of CDP Venture Capital SGR, have been instrumental in this endeavour.

Supported by key backers and co-investors including Fondazione Cariverona and UniCredit, as well as Eatable Adventures, a prominent global foodtech accelerator serving as a co-investor and operational program manager, these start-ups are at the forefront of driving positive change in the industry.

A pioneering project in the confectionery sector is Freecao, chocolate without cocoa. Developed by the Italian start-up Foreverland, this product stands as a sustainable milestone for the chocolate industry. Crafted from carob, a staple of the Mediterranean region where Italy boasts exceptional production, Freecao presents a delectable alternative to conventional chocolate, accompanied by substantial advantages such as lowered transportation expenses and environmental footprint.

This innovative chocolate drastically cuts CO₂ emissions by 80% and reduces water consumption by 90% compared to cocoa production methods Notably, it offers a healthier alternative due to its gluten-free, caffeine-free, and artificial ingredient-free composition, coupled with reduced sugar content.

Just in time for Easter 2024, Foreverland has introduced the first cocoa-free Easter egg to the market: a 500-gram plant-based product enriched with hazelnuts, lactose-free, and gluten-free.

Trusty emerges as an innovative start-up focused on developing digital infrastructures to make agri-food supply chains transparent, using blockchain technology. With a specific focus on the cocoa supply chain, Trusty collaborates closely with essential stakeholders across multiple tropical nations, offering tools and consultancy services for seamless data integration and collection among farmers, cooperatives, logistic operators, and industries.

Its technology, aligned with European regulations like EUDR, tackles pressing issues such as food safety and sustainability. By fostering greater transparency in international trade, Trusty contributes significantly to bolstering consumer confidence in ethically accountable and regulated supply chains.

This Easter, Trusty, in collaboration with Loretta Fanella, a renowned Italian pastry chef, is launching the first blockchain-tracked chocolate egg. Featuring a QR code, the egg provides certification of the cocoa’s sustainable origins, aligning with European standards for ethical production. The cocoa mass used in crafting this egg was purchased through Trusty’s marketplace, which streamlines sustainable sourcing for businesses, underscoring the startup’s unwavering dedication to transparency and sustainability in agri-food supply chains.

“The cocoa sector holds fundamental importance both in gastronomy and in the economies of European countries. However, it is evident that there is a need to redefine the future of the entire supply chain, which today is among the most unsustainable globally,” declares Alberto Barbari, regional VP Italy of Eatable Adventures.

“With Foreverland and Trusty, we are moving towards a more ethical, sustainable, and innovative direction, helping confectionery companies tackle the significant new challenges of the chocolate production chain under the banner of Open Innovation.”

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