Foodwise | May 3, 2024 | View as Webpage

How One East Bay Craft Chocolate Maker Is Adapting to Skyrocketing Global Cocoa Prices

In April, cocoa prices skyrocketed to $11,000 per metric ton for the first time in the industry’s history—a 400% increase from 2023. “It’s unprecedented. It’s kind of a critical time for small chocolate companies,” says Eli Curtis, who co-founded Bisou Chocolate with partner Tracey Britton. Chocolate lovers are starting to feel the bite, with chocolate prices having risen 15% since the start of 2023.

In light of what Eli calls the “chocapocalypse,” and ahead of chocolate-shopping for Mother’s Day, Eli sheds light on what the bar-to-bean process looks like and how chocolate makers like Bisou are navigating the changing market.

This Week's Picks

Cherries | Seascape strawberries | Wheatgrass | Walnuts | Sugar snap peas | Pan de Mie | New Zealand spinach | Mulberries | Broccoli greens | Radishes

Tomorrow! Foodwise Demos: SalviSoul and Chef Thassanee

Join us for two Foodwise Demos, Karla Tatiana Vasquez, author of The SalviSoul Cookbook, at 11am, and Thassanee Ruthaiwat, at 12pm. Demos are free, with recipes and samples for all.

Save the Date! Juneteenth on the Waterfront on June 1

Kick off a month of Juneteenth celebrations in San Francisco with a day of delicious food, crafts, and community at the Ferry Terminal Plaza and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

Cheers to Our Good Food Award Winners

Congrats to all of the Good Food Awards winners, including Canteen Meats (Beef Cecina), Kuali (Salsa Macha Clásica), Mill Valley Pasta Co. (Porcini Radiatore), Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. (Bay Blue, TomaRashi, TomaTruffle), Tomales Farmstead Creamery (Fortuna, Liwa), and Wise Goat Organics (Golden Kraut). Try their products at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays!

Foodwise Volunteer Orientation on June 8

Please join us for an orientation at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturday, June 8, from 10 to 11 am, to learn more about ways you can support our mission to grow thriving communities through the power and joy of local food.

Bluberry Basil Shrub

At the Foodwise Classroom, Michael Carlisi of Barrio, shared this simple recipe for a seasonal shrub, perfect on its own as a refreshing drink or for sprucing up a cocktail.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Featured Vendors

Very Mulberry returns to the Ferry Plaza this Saturday with the season's first mulberries, harvested from their farm in Brentwood.

Midnite Bagel is an artisan bagel bakery focusing on sourdough bagels and bread. Visit them this Saturday before they take a break to recharge.

Mission Community Market: Featured Vendors

Bring your little ones to Mission Community Market on Thursday for a family activity at the Foodwise Education Station.

On Thursday in the Mission, and on Tuesday at the Ferry Plaza, stop by Nucha Empanadas for empanadas stuffed with local ingredients.

Community Happenings

Far West Fungi's Santa Cruz Mountain Mushroom Festival | May 4-5 | Felton

Lamb Jam Restaurant Month | May 1-31 | SF

Support Bisou Chocolate's GoFundMe | Online

POC Food and Wine Festival | May 2-5 | Berkeley & SF

Vacant to Vibrant Community Market | May 9 | SF

Bhangra & Beats Night Market | May 10 | SF

CAAMFest | May 9-19 | SF and Oakland

Foodwise Demo: Aruna Lee, Volcano Kimchi | May 18 | SF

Santa Cruz Permaculture Farm Strawberry Festival | May 18 | Santa Cruz

Slow Money Farm Fest 2024 | May 18 | Brentwood

Tierra Vegetables Farm Dinner | May 25 | Santa Rosa

Foodwise Summer Bash | July 14 | SF

Market Updates

This is the most up-to-date info about this week's seller attendance at the time of publication. Please check in at the Foodwise Info Booth for any last-minute changes.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Saturday, 8am-2pm | May 4

La Cocina Pop-Up: Suyos

Mandela Partners Pop-Up:Hella Juiced

Returning: Bisou Chocolate, Capay Mills, Chef Sarah Germany, Old Dog Ranch, Very Mulberry

Out: Annie's T Cakes (until September), Glashoff Farms (until June), Mark 'n Mike's

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Tuesday, 10am-2pm | May 7

En2Action's Ujamaa Kitchen Pop-Up: The Real Big Mamas

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Thursday, 10am-2pm | May 9

En2Action's Ujamaa Kitchen Pop-Up: Wright's Delights, Soul Ties

Mission Community Market: Thursday, 3pm-7pm | May 9

No changes

Visit foodwise.org for seasonality charts, recipes, and more!

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