What can turn a crusty curmudgeon of an editor into an excitable boy? Well, certainly a visit to the world’s largest confectionery exposition, ISM 2016, which was held in Cologne Jan. 31 – Feb. 3.

A few years ago Dave Alexander, of Global Organic, began discussing the idea of selling the Agostoni line of couvertures as well as ingredients to his customers. Last year, the company inked the deal.

While orchestrating the building and equipping of a 540,000-sq.-ft. cocoa and chocolate processing facility was a complex venture, choosing the right individuals from 17 eligible third generation family members to lead the company in the coming decades demanded even more skill.

During his conversations with the farmers, Agostoni discovered that they were frustrated in putting so much effort into their cocoa crops and seeing little return.During his conversations with the farmers, Agostoni discovered that they were frustrated in putting so much effort into their cocoa crops and seeing little return.