The Choco-locate project began during the development of a new documentary, “Semisweet”, which explores our relationship with the sweet indulgence.
Our initial research for SemiSweet has taken us on a journey around the world, from Northern Ontario and Middle America, and all the way to Paris and the Cote D’Ivoire.
Choco-locate was inspired by an experience we had on a recent stop in Hershey Pennsylvania, “the sweetest place on earth”, where we toured the infamous Chocolate Museum. Our friendly guide was an encyclopedia of all-things-chocolate… until we asked her where the cocoa comes from. She was stumped.
But she isn’t alone: when was the last time you questioned the origins of a piece of chocolate, while a decadent dark square melted on your tongue?
As the trail from the fields to store shelves becomes longer and more mysterious, consumers are hungry for knowledge and to regain control over what we eat. We are all aware of the social and economic repercussions of our purchases, and the healthy or harmful effects of what we put in our mouths. And we would all like to be responsible and informed consumers.
We’re creating the first interactive project devoted to chocolate – uncovering little known truths and working with you to develop a resource for curious consumers. Along the way, we are uncovering revealing stories from fascinating characters – cocoa farmers, eco chick enthusiasts, fair trade activists, artisan chocolatiers, and passionate food lovers. We’ll find out what motivates them, what their indulgences are, and why all of this matters.
We are starting in our home city, Toronto and will grow one city at a time.
As we take a deeper look at chocolate, and our relationship to this luxurious treat, we will also give you the inside scoop on the progress of our documentary. You will be the first to hear about our characters and hear about upcoming screenings once the documentary is completed.
Firm believers that the best “social networking” is done among real people, we want you to take the tools we’ve created into your real life – through tastings, meetups, and our ever-expanding store directory.
This is just the beginning. Join us in our Beta phase and help us raise awareness to the issues surrounding fair trade cocoa production, build crowd sourced resources for conscious consumers, and create a community of chocolate that suits the needs of your busy life.
The Choco-locate iPhone app helps users track down chocolate based on their preferences and location. The top chocolates from each store are listed to which users can ‘like’, review or add comments. The Choco-locate app also encourages people to try healthy and fair trade flavors or varieties of chocolate.
Now, another reason for Chocolate lovers to celebrate! The first ever iPhone app for chocolate is expanding into the Nation’s Capital, Ottawa! The Choco-locate app has a comprehensive listing of chocolate stores with ratings and reviews. Users can track down chocolate based on their preferences for Artisan, Fair Trade, Organic, Vegan, Raw or any chocolate! The app also lists discounts on delicious chocolates and free samples at local chocolate shops. Visit Parliament and the ByWard Market while indulging in chocolate delights!
The Choco-locate iPhone App lists stores in Toronto, Stratford, Hamilton, the Niagara region, Seattle and now Ottawa! Allowing a quick chocolate fix for Ottawa residents and tourists for the first time. Yet another incredible reason to visit Ottawa! Gotta love it, gotta have it now? Chocolate lovers can geo-locate stores and prompt notifications of chocolate shops where users are standing, right now!
And that’s not all. The Choco-locate iPhone app features weekly deals and listings of chocolate events in the area. It also lists the top four chocolates from each shop for those chocoholics out there.
Love it? Yes you can with the interactive feature which lets you rate, review and share comments with links to Facebook and Twitter. Each user can set up their unique profile and share their chocolate discoveries. Tap the heart to not just ‘like’ but ‘love’ a featured chocolate.
