Meet Fiona, owner of Australia's First Indigenous-Owned Chocolate Company

Fair Trade - ethically & sustainably grown - Social Enterprise

Fiona Harrison's Story: From Trauma to Transformation

Yiradhu marang (good day) 👋🏼

I'm Fiona Harrison, a proud Wiradjuri woman, founder, and Chief Chocolatier at Chocolate On Purpose®, Australia's first Indigenous-owned chocolate company.

Chocolate On Purpose is Supply Nation certified, and People & Planet First and Social Traders certified Social Enterprise.

My journey began in the heart of Wiradjuri Country, along the Galari (Lachlan River), and has led me to Gundungurra Country, Moss Vale, where I handcraft ethical chocolate that's more than a treat- it's a story, a movement, and a legacy of Indigenous leadership.

From Trauma to Transformation

My path to chocolate wasn't straightforward. I survived intergenerational trauma, PTSD, and deep depression. I found my way back through reconnecting with my Culture and the wisdom of Australian native botanicals and Indigenous plant knowledge.

I studied Aromatic Therapies, drawn to the healing properties of plants my Ancestors have known for over 60,000 years. Then Chocolatier training sparked an idea, "what if I could merge the healing power of native botanicals with premium, fair trade chocolate?", and "Imagine if chocolate could become a bridge between Culture and connection, wellness and storytelling?"

From these questions, Chocolate On Purpose® was born in 2012: an Aboriginal business Australia can be proud of, dedicated to ethical sourcing, sustainability, and empowering Indigenous native botanical growers, in particular our women.

More Than Chocolate

Every chocolate I handcraft blends ethically sourced, Fair Trade, palm oil-free chocolate infused with native botanicals, such as Ooray (Davidson Plum), Boombera (Macadamia Nut), and Gulalung (Finger Lime), all steeped in ancient wisdom.

Our native botanical chocolate is free from gluten, preservative free, free from artificial colours, and our dark chocolate is certified Vegan by Vegan Australia.

Every chocolate is a celebration of this ancient continent.

But the real magic? It's the story woven into every creation- a healthy indulgence that's "Better for the World" (ethical, sustainable, palm oil-free), "Better for Us" (no saturated fats, preservatives, or excessive sugar), and "Better for You" (tastes good, makes a difference).

As a certified social enterprise, we're not just making chocolate. We're building something bigger, centering Indigenous women, supporting ethical farming communities, and proving that chocolate rooted in ngunggilanha (reciprocity) and truth is essential.

The Mission That Drives Me

Less than 2% of the Australian native botanical supply chain is Indigenous-led, despite the industry being built on our Cultural and Intellectual Property. I'm here to change that.

I source native botanicals directly from Indigenous growers, creating pathways for Aboriginal women, especially those aged 45+ to reclaim their sovereignty as matriarchal holders of these ancient plant knowledge systems.

Through our 'Ngunggilanha' (reciprocity) Cultural Sensory Garden & Chocolate Nexus project, we're building spaces where our women reconnect with ancestral plant knowledge and grow economic independence with dignity.

By choosing Chocolate On Purpose®, you're supporting ethical corporate gifting, social enterprise chocolate, and a equity in supply chains. You're contributing to the empowerment of Indigenous Communities, supporting Reconciliation Week workplace programs, and choosing Chocolate For Good™.

How We Do It: Our Commitment to Ethical Practices

Ethical Sourcing & Transparency

We use couverture chocolate sourced through the Cocoa Horizons program: supporting farmers in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador, with full traceability and third-party verification. Premium prices are paid for both chocolate and native botanicals, supporting fair trade chocolate, economic empowerment, and Cultural continuity.

Every ingredient is transparently sourced and hand-crafted on Gundungurra Country, in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

Certifications & Testing

We hold multiple certifications:

• Planet & People First globally certified social enterprise
• Social Traders nationally certified
• Cocoa Horizons partnership for ethical cacao sourcing
• All products meet strict food safety standards and are produced under rigorous quality controls

Child Labour & Modern Slavery

Cocoa Horizons prohibits child labour and modern slavery. Our ethical sourcing commitment contributed to eradicating forced labour and lifting cacao farmers above the poverty line.

Fair Pay & Economic Justice

We source Fair Trade certified chocolate. Our purchasing supports Indigenous participation in the native botanical supply chain, where less than 2% of suppliers are Indigenous businesses. At least 50% of profits are reinvested into impact causes, employment, and wellbeing for future generations. As a social enterprise, this is embedded in our Corporate Constitutional governance.

Our Living Commitment: Sustainability

Sustainability & Environmental Impact

Sustainability is the living heart of our business, every decision honours Country, protects People, and aims for regenerative impact. We're contributing to addressing seven of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Palm Oil-Free Commitment & Biodiversity

All our chocolate is 100% palm oil-free, protecting rainforests, Indigenous communities, and endangered species. By refusing palm oil, we help prevent emissions and preserve vital peat moss sinks (nature's carbon storage bins).

Carbon Offsetting & Climate Action

We offset our carbon footprint by purchasing Aboriginal Carbon Credits, supporting the Wulburjubur Cultural Fire project on the Tiwi Islands, and creating meaningful employment for Communities.

Ethical Sourcing, Ingredients & Supply Chain

Cacao grown by Cocoa Horizons participants was proven not to have contributed to deforestation. And with every extra production run, our buy from Indigenous growers increases, strengthening the native botanical supply chain.

Waste Minimisation & Circularity

All chocolate production scrap is reclaimed as Chocolicious Sprinkles, nothing is wasted. We operate within Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and partner with Planet Ark for recycling.

Packaging & Product Life Cycle

Packaging is recyclable plastic, chosen for food safety and integrity, recyclable through most yellow bins or recycling bins at Woolworths, Coles and Aldi stores. We use energy-efficient equipment and LED lighting throughout our facility.

Sustainability means honouring land, supporting those who steward it, and building a business that leaves Country better than we found it. This is Chocolate For Good™ in action.

Building a Better Future: Social Responsibility

Indigenous Economic Leadership & Governance

As Australia's first 100% Indigenous-owned chocolate business, we role-model Indigenous economic leadership, self-determination, and community reinvestment. As a certified social enterprise, we reinvest profits so public benefit outweighs private benefit.

Employment & Mentoring of Underrepresented Groups

We prioritise employment and mentoring of Aboriginal women aged 45+, recognising their expertise and commitment to economic justice.

Profit Reinvestment & Community Giving

We reinvest over 50% of profits into Communities through supply chains, employment, mentoring, and Cultural projects. We donate to aligned organisations on significant dates, reflecting our commitment to healing, Cultural continuity, and systemic change.

Indigenous Supply Chain Leadership

We source Indigenous businesses as suppliers wherever possible. With every production run, our Indigenous grower purchases increase- strengthening sustainable participation in the industry. Indigenous businesses are role models and multipliers, we train and employ Indigenous staff, channelling profits back into Communities.

Carbon Credits & Land Stewardship

We purchase Aboriginal Carbon Credits, supporting traditional fire management across millions of hectares, creating jobs and strengthening capacity to care for Country and Culture.

Truth-Telling & Cultural Leadership

We share truth about Country, Culture, and our Ancestors' resilience through our products, advancing Reconciliation in Australia.

What Fulfils Me Most

The creative side is where I step into my ancestral giilangyaldhaany (storyteller), creating chocolate experiences to share the rich tapestry of Wiradjuri Culture. It's where I light up.

An example is NAIDOC Week 2025: when I read the Committee Co-Chair, Steven Satour's quote, "This NAIDOC Week, we celebrate not just a milestone but a movement that endures, grows, and evolves...", the ancestors delivered the Wiradjuri word Waynha ~ Transformation, with the image of Budyabudya ~ Butterfly to me.

My chocolate budyabudyagalang (butterflies) were born and, through storytelling with chocolate, they fluttered into NAIDOC week carrying the theme and messages of NAIDOC to the nation.

Every chocolate I create is a bridge to understanding and respecting Indigenous heritage, promoting inclusiveness and Reconciliation. Knowing my efforts support equity in supply chains and contribute to sustainable Communities makes every challenge worthwhile.

It's about more than chocolate. It's about nurturing a legacy of Yindyamarra (respect, care, and going slowly to do things the proper way), healing, and empowerment.

It's about asking ourselves: What sort of ancestor do I want to be for the seven generations looking up at us, waiting their turn to emerge?

When you choose Chocolate On Purpose®, you're choosing to honour Culture, protect Country, and empower Communities.

You're choosing Chocolate For Good™. Ethical, sustainable, Indigenous-owned chocolate that makes a difference.

With care and connection,
Fiona 
Founder & Chief Chocolatier
Chocolate On Purpose® | Chocolate For Good™