Fly Over The Grass

Fly Over the Grass aims to shed light on creative routes into a career in social impact. In each episode, Miranda talks to an inspiring individual working to solve social inequality to find out about the change they want to see in the world, what they do, and how they got there.

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Fly Over The Grass

Fly Over the Grass #007 Marika van Santvoort on improving cocoa supply chains as a social entrepreneur

December 20, 2020 • Miranda • Season 1 • Episode 7

Marika van Santvoort is a consultant and social entrepreneur from the Netherlands specialising in cocoa, the raw ingredient of chocolate. Whilst working in conflict resolution in post conflict communities, Marika found herself working with cocoa farmers in Cameroon (West Africa). She noticed how the complexity and opaqueness of cocoa supply chains leaves cocoa farmers unfairly treated. This experience began her career and life’s mission to shorten and improve supply chains between cocoa farmers and consumers. In tandem she has started several social businesses, the latest, Pacha de Cacao, is a healthy juice made out of the fresh pulp of the cacao fruit that up until now has been a waste product in cocoa production.

In this episode Marika and I discuss the roots of her passion and dedication to one mission, and the tricks and tips behind successful solo social entrepreneurship. Check out her website movingcocoa.com as well as her latest venture pachadecacao.com.

Music by Joe Bush