Blue Stripes, a US-based company specializing in products made from the entire cacao fruit, has raised USD $20 million in a Series B funding round. The investment, led by Zintinus, includes participation from The Hershey Company and Whole Foods Market, highlighting growing industry interest in sustainable cacao processing.
Blue Stripes introduces sustainable cacao processing and waste reduction
Blue Stripes’ approach to cacao processing focuses on sustainability:
- Utilizing 70% of the cacao fruit typically discarded in traditional chocolate making
- Reducing cacao fruit waste through innovative ingredient and production methods
- Increasing the economic value of cacao fruit for farmers
The company’s product line includes cacao water, whole cacao chocolate bars, granola, trail mix, chocolate-covered cacao beans, and dried cacao fruit.
Investment Allocation and Market Expansion
Blue Stripes plans to use the new funding to:
- Advance whole cacao process technologies
- Develop new products
- Increase distribution
- Support marketing efforts, including raising consumer awareness about cacao fruit’s nutritional benefits
The investment from established industry players like Hershey and Whole Foods Market suggests growing recognition of sustainable practices in chocolate production.
Industry Impact and Consumer Awareness
Blue Stripes aims to create a new category within the chocolate industry by:
- Unlocking the potential of cacao as a superfruit, highlighting its antioxidants, minerals, and fiber content
- Changing practices in the cacao industry to reduce environmental impact
- Improving economic value for cacao farmers
To raise consumer awareness, Blue Stripes has named celebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni, who has over 33 million social media followers, as a brand ambassador.
Oded Brenner, founder of Blue Stripes, stated: “In this next chapter, I am on a mission to change what happens behind the scenes of the cacao industry – reducing the negative cacao industry impact on the environment, improving the economic value cacao farmers receive for their work, and sharing the incredible functional benefits that the cacao superfruit has with the world.”
The investment in Blue Stripes reflects a growing trend in the food industry towards more sustainable and waste-reducing practices, particularly in sectors traditionally associated with high levels of byproduct waste.
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