CocoTerra’s leadership will contribute to one of the most important organizations shaping the future of fine chocolate.
CocoTerra CEO, Nate Saal, has been elected Vice President of the Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA), the leading organization in the United States dedicated to supporting the fine chocolate community around the globe.
“Supporting the greater chocolate community has always been an important value for CocoTerra, and in this new role, I hope to contribute by bringing innovation and new perspectives to our industry”, said Nate Saal.
FCIA brings together chocolate makers, cacao farmers, suppliers, retailers, chefs, educators, and enthusiasts with a shared goal: to advance chocolate quality through education, collaboration, and transparency. In line with its purpose, FCIA has grown from a handful of craft chocolate makers seeking to connect into a leading platform for education, networking, and support for the global chocolate industry.
Today, it represents approximately 150 companies and over 300 members across the chocolate supply chain, including bean-to-bar makers, chocolatiers, farmers, equipment suppliers, and event organizers. FCIA helps strengthen the chocolate community across the United States and the world.
FCIA focuses on education and networking through collaboration with chocolate festivals such as Salon du Chocolat in New York City, Northwest Chocolate Festival in Seattle, and Chocoa in Amsterdam. FCIA hosts social events, webinars, chocolate tastings, and industry gatherings in support of its membership. These include sessions such as “Selling Face-to-Face: Lessons from 100+ Festivals,” “Chocolate Q&A,” and webinars like CocoaTown’s “Muze: Delicious Chocolate, Origin, and Social Impact.” Through these initiatives, along with advocacy and partnerships, FCIA helps promote quality, innovation, and the art of fine chocolate.
