Our processing models
Different processing models, same impact.
The two processing models available via Tony’s Open Chain
As part of our scaling initiative, we introduced a new “route to market” for the cocoa beans. Mission Allies can now choose between two bean processing models: Bean-to-brand and Bean-to-machine. While both models maintain full traceability up to the moment ownership is taken by the company that ultimately processes the beans, the models differ in what happens during processing and manufacturing. Below, we describe the difference between the two models.
Beans-to-machine
All cocoa beans remain 100% traceable and segregated from our partner cooperatives up to the doorstep of the processors, but are mixed with other beans during processing.
When choosing this model, Mission Allies’ sourced Tony’s Open Chain bean volume matches or exceeds the total cocoa volume that is needed for their Tony’s Open Chain products. Whilst this means that the final product might contain 0 Tony's Open Chain cocoa beans, the button confirms that the Mission Ally has paid a full living income premium on the total volume of beans needed for their products (and often more), and that they have been sourced in line with our Sourcing Principles.
Beans-to-brand
All cocoa beans are kept fully segregated throughout the entire supply chain: from our partner cooperatives all the way up to end product level. Products are processed in a segregated manner.
This means that the specific Tony’s Open Chain beans sourced by a Mission Ally are used in their final products.