At Emkao Foods, 2025 has been a year of incredible momentum, and June brought a series of milestones that shine a spotlight on our mission to transform the chocolate industry for good.
From prestigious award wins to national nominations, each achievement fuels our passion for crafting premium, sustainably sourced cocoa products that empower smallholder farmers in Cameroon while delighting chocolate lovers across Canada and beyond.
We’re thrilled to share the exciting news and what it means for our journey ahead.
Emkao Foods Wins the 2025 SFA Leadership Award for Vision & Sustainability
One of our proudest moments this year came with being awarded the 2025 SFA Leadership Award for Vision & Sustainability by the Specialty Food Association (SFA).
This award honors businesses demonstrating outstanding commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and innovative leadership in the specialty food industry.
For us, this recognition validates the core of Emkao Foods:
- Ethical Sourcing – Our cocoa comes directly from our family’s 100-hectare farm in the Méfou-et-Afamba region of Cameroon, where three generations have perfected the art of cacao farming.
- Sustainability – We’re dedicated to minimizing our environmental footprint through eco-friendly farming, sustainable shipping solutions, and natural, additive-free products.
- Empowering Farmers – Our business model creates steady employment for 80-100 local farmers each harvest season, offering fair wages, training, and community support.
Winning the SFA Leadership Award underscores that sustainability and excellence can—and should-go hand in hand.
Small Business People First Award Winner
Earlier in June, Emkao Foods was also honored with the Small Business People First Award from the Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC.
This award recognizes businesses prioritizing the well-being and safety of their people while pursuing innovation and sustainable growth. For our team, this is a testament to the human values at the core of everything we do—from bean to bar.
Nominated for CHFA Industry Achievement Award
Adding to an already exciting month, we’re thrilled to share that Emkao Foods has been nominated for the CHFA Industry Achievement Award.
The CHFA (Canadian Health Food Association) celebrates businesses driving meaningful impact in the natural health and organic products sector. This nomination places us among innovators working tirelessly to create better, healthier products for Canadian consumers.
What These Wins Mean for Our Future
These recognitions are far more than trophies; they’re powerful encouragement to keep pushing forward. They remind us why we strive for excellence:
- To bring consumers delicious, high-quality chocolate products without compromise.
- To create economic opportunities and sustainability for cocoa farmers in Cameroon.
- To set a new standard for transparency, traceability, and ethics in the chocolate industry.
Each award and nomination motivates us to keep innovating, expanding, and sharing our story with chocolate lovers everywhere.
Our Ongoing Commitment
Our product lineup continues to reflect our dedication to quality and sustainability, featuring:
- POKAO | Cocoa Powder – Ideal for baking, beverages, and desserts.
- CHOKAO | Dark Chocolate Chips – Vegan-friendly chocolate perfect for ice creams, pastries, and snacking.
- BAKAO | Chocolate Bars – 70% dark chocolate crafted for true cocoa lovers.
- BUKAO | Cocoa Butter – Used in baking, chocolate making, and even cosmetics.
- NIKAO | Cocoa Nibs – Crunchy inclusions for pastries or craft beverages.
- ROKAO | Raw Cocoa Beans – For bean-to-bar chocolatiers.
- HUSKAO | Cocoa Husks – Perfect for brewing unique cacao teas.
- LIKAO | Cocoa Liquor – Pure chocolate liquor for intense flavor applications.
- BAKAO Coffee – Cocoa-infused coffee for a unique twist.
Our efforts were first recognized when we won the Binghamton Business Plan Competition Award, a significant milestone that helped us expand our operations and vision.
Join Us on Our Journey
As we celebrate these achievements, we remain focused on our mission: creating ethical, sustainable, and delicious chocolate products that make a difference, from Cameroon to Canada and beyond.
Thank you to everyone who supports Emkao Foods. Together, we’re shaping the future of chocolate, and we’re just getting started.