For Families & Children of All Ages
Sunday, March 4th
Two sessions: 1:30pm and 2:30pm
“The Science of Chocolate: From the Farm to You”
Chocolate is one of the world’s favorite foods, with a magical journey from bean to bar and a fascinating history. In this fun, engaging, hands-on session, you’ll learn where chocolate comes from, what cacao farming regions are like, how chocolate is made, and how cacao farming can help the environment and communities. This will be a multi-sensory, interactive event where we’ll see and touch cacao beans, taste different chocolates, see photos of cacao farming regions and chocolate making, learn about cacao geography and habitat, and roast and grind cacao beans.
For families and children of all ages.
Note about allergen concerns or dietary preferences: We will taste yummy organic milk and dark chocolates, which will be kept separate, as well as cocoa beans. We will not have chocolates with nuts. Dark chocolates will be vegan.
Presented by Melissa Schweisguth:
Melissa has had her hands in the chocolate industry for over 10 years, developing a deep reverence for cacao, a passion for sharing its wonders, and a commitment to advancing socially responsible production. Her experience includes Marketing and Full Circle Sustainability Manager at Dagoba Organic Chocolate, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at the Hershey Company and Fair Trade Coordinator at Global Exchange. She has presented to diverse audiences, developed K-12 and community education materials, traveled to cacao farms and processors in Nicaragua, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, volunteered on a cacao farm in Grenada, and coordinated US speaking tours with cocoa farmers.