Visitors to A Taste of Donegal Food Festival will notice a stand with a difference in the tented village this year – Wee ChoCo.
If you buy a bar of chocolate here you are not only getting a delicious treat, but you are supporting people with autism and learning difficulties in Ulster.
Wee ChoCo is a Community Interest Company based in Co. Down which welcomes a group of adults each week to train in their chocolate factory.
All profits from chocolate sales go into the upkeep of the factory and the training of adults of different abilities. Those who make bars for Wee ChoCo also gain production and business experience and food safety qualifications.
Steph Fulton of Wee ChoCo explained to Donegal Daily: “People love to come to the factory to get hands-on experience. From tempering the chocolate to selling, they are involved in every part of the process. Some people who would like sales experience come out to do shows such as this food festival.”
Steph Fulton from WeeChoCo
Steph adds: “The adults learn so much with us. We have up to six people a week training in group sessions or one-to-one, based on their needs.
“They learn hand-eye coordination, practice dexterity in wrapping bars and building the display boxes. They are involved in every part of the process, even picking the flavours.”
Supporting Wee ChoCo allows people to do good by eating chocolate. Isn’t that sweet?
WeeChoCo
A Taste of Donegal 2018 takes place in Donegal Town from Friday – Sunday, August 24- 26.
For interviews, demos and more from A Taste of Donegal, make sure to follow Donegal Daily on Facebook for video coverage all weekend.
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