Lake Champlain Chocolates, a Vermont-based artisan chocolatier, has earned a Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 2 Certification, meaning it has met requirements for one of the food industry’s leading food safety and quality designations.

“SQF Certification took years to complete, and we could not be prouder of the Lake Champlain Chocolates team for their continued efforts in advancing the company to a new level,” says Eric Lampman, president of Lake Champlain Chocolates. “The demand for safe, quality food continues to grow; this third-party certification strengthens the foundation of trust and respect among our retailers and consumers.”

In 1983, Jim Lampman opened Lake Champlain Chocolates, introducing European flavors by using local ingredients. More than 30 years later, the company is still family-owned with the same values it was built on, with siblings Eric Lampman and Vice President Ellen Lampman Reed at the company’s helm.

“LCC is committed to providing transparency to our customers,” says Eric Lampman. “This includes our Fair for Life-Social and Fairtrade Certification, the use of Fairtrade-certified chocolate and the transition to offering more and more organic-certified products.”

Based in Burlington, Vt., where its confections are made in fresh, small batches with local and non-GMO ingredients, Lake Champlain’s products are sold in more than 2,000 stores across the United States. The company will be showcasing its product line at the 2017 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco.