Our One Hundredth show guest! Kim Wilson of Seattle-based Good King Cacao joins our hosts to explain snacking cacao. It’s a whole, crunchy caramelized cacao bean, exactly like chocolate except it’s processed so it doesn’t melt in a tropical warm climate. The impetus to making a snack that doesn’t melt is Kim Wilson’s story. Having attended two great business schools and worked with the world’s largest winery, you would think Kim was set to climb the corporate ladder. But her heart spoke loud to her about social causes, in particular extensive bonded labor, child trafficking and unfair wages in the chocolate industry. And since she was a life-long chocolate lover, she began to think and pray about how to solve those human problems by augmenting the chocolate market and not competing with it by driving the chocolate makers away. In addition, the solution had to work with the primitive resources available to the poor farmers, such as unreliable electricity and lack of running water. And then it came to her, make a snack out of the cacao bean instead of a chocolate candy treat, providing the farmers with an additional income stream and the public with a healthy, delicious snack – that doesn’t melt! In 2014, Kim connected with show co-host Sarah Masoni at the Oregon State University Food Innovation Center in Portland, Oregon. As she has done for an incalculable number of food entrepreneurs, Sarah saw a multitude of challenges that needed to be addressed for the final product to be shelf ready. But the two of them dug in and solved the problems along the way and Kim had a plan for success. The beans currently come from Indonesia and Honduras and from coops that are providing women with the opportunity to earn a good wage. Women historically have been left out of the chocolate industry employment scheme. The beans are peeled and processed and the snack is a nutrient-dense, allergy-friendly, stable superfood. They are naturally bite-sized so perfect for a snack around the house or for taking on a hike. And they complement, rather than compete with chocolate. Beans are single sourced, which means they come from one growing region only and are not mixed with other regions. That way, the consumer gets a unique flavor and not a commoditized product. Plus, the growers are paid more for raising a premium product. Kim works directly with the coops as well, ensuring quality control and consistency. Good King Cacao beans come in different flavors, some quite spicy. People who prefer black coffee, bold wines and whiskey neat tend to love snacking cacao beans. For those who need a milder snack, Good King Cacao beans also are packaged with more traditional nuts for a mixed snack pack. It looks like Kim’s prayers are being answered, and there are many communities enjoying a higher standard of life because of her big heart, smart business sense and hard work.

"Masoni and Marshall the meaningful Marketplace" with your hosts Sarah Masoni and Sarah Marshall

We record the "the Meaningful Marketplace" inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Thank you for listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast. 

Call our hotline with questions for Sarah and Sarah at 503-395-8858. If you want to support our show, write us a review, share episodes with friends, or subscribe to our Patreon.

Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers 
Show logo design: Anton Kimball of Kimball Design 
Production Coordinators: Dave Drusky