Theo's Fair Trade, Organic Chocolates (photos by Rick Tango)

Eco-entrepreneurs deserve kudos for the risks they took to start up companies that strive for sustainability. Founder & CEO Joe Whinney of Theo Chocolate is among the most deserving, so it’s quite fitting that the popular environmental news site Grist has named him one of its top 15 green business founders.

Others on Grist’s list include Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia and Nell Newman of Newman's Own Organics. All of the 15 named are being honored for building successful businesses on foundations of sustainability.

Joe Whinney witnessed the effects of unfair, unsustainable cocoa trading as a conservation volunteer in Central America. That experience led him to pioneer the manufacture and supply of organic chocolate products and become the first individual to import organic cocoa beans into North America in 1994. Over a decade later, Theo is proud to be the only roaster of organic cocoa beans and the first roaster of Fair Trade certified cocoa beans in the United States.

All of Theo’s ingredients are carefully selected to ensure they meet the company’s high standards for social and environmental responsibility. As true gourmet chocolate makers, they carefully steward cacao (cocoa beans) through the process of roasting, blending and conching to coax out the distinctive flavor imparted by each unique growing region. Theo’s production is guided by their passion for chocolate. Their ultimate goal is to lead the industry with the excellence and integrity of their offerings.

Food and Wine Magazine honored Theo with an Eco-Epicurean Award in their August 2007 issue, for making the world "a better — and more delicious — place." Theo also won "Outstanding Chocolate" at the NASFT Fancy Food Show in New York City.

The company is located in a beautiful, historic building in Seattle, Washington. They welcome visitors for tours of the chocolate factory everyday at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. The cost is just $5.00 per person. You can reserve a place on the tour by calling 206-632-5100. Tours last about 1 hour and include a thorough explanation of chocolate making. It also includes delicious samples!

If you’d like to purchase some of Theo’s award-winning gourmet chocolate click on any of the following:

Organic Chocolate from Ghana's Cacao

Organic Chocolate from the Ivory Coast's Cacao

Organic Bread & Chocolate Bars

Theo Organic Chocolate Confections