Community Stories

When you unwrap a Theo and Philo bar from The Good Store, you’re tasting more than chocolate—you’re tasting Davao soil, Mindanao sunshine, and years of farmer know-how. So our team flew south to see where it all began.  Morning in Malabog We met Theo and Philo founder Philo Chua at a partner farm community in Malabog, Davao City. This is where Theo and Philo sources the single-origin cacao that goes into bars like their 90% Dark and signature Tablea. The beans here thrive in Davao’s “fertile land and temperate climates,” which locals say produce some of the best cacao in...

At The Good Store, we're proud to have spent the last 9 years building a movement that's all about making a positive impact on the planet and its people. As we reflect on another year of progress, we're thrilled to share our latest Social Impact Report with you. A Movement in Full Swing  Over the past 9 years, we've had the privilege of partnering with 59 incredible communities and brands that share our vision for a better world. From social enterprises to indigenous communities and non-government organizations, these collaborations have been a driving force behind our mission to reduce waste...

We recently had the privilege of visiting the partner weaving community of WVN Living in Banguar, La Union. As a social enterprise, we believe it's essential to connect with the communities where our products are made. This visit allowed us to get to know the talented artisans and learn about the craftsmanship that goes into each handwoven Inabel product. Learning from the Artisans During our visit, we had the opportunity to hear the stories of the weavers and learn about the intricate process of creating each piece. From the careful selection of threads to the meticulous weaving process, every step...

Last month, we joined DTI-BMDPO’s buying mission in Sorsogon to discover what the province has to offer. We visited various locations across Sorsogon Province, including Bulan, Casiguran, Bulusan, Barcelona, Irosin, and Sorsogon City along with other potential partners from Roots Collective and Tesoro’s.  Showcasing Sorsogon's Best Over two days, MSMEs showcased their unique community products, including abaca items, jewelry, pili nuts, pastries, and wellness products. All of us got to see firsthand how these products are made in factories and workshops. It was a fun time trying out the different products. Sorsogon really has a wealth of offerings made by...

In our quest to support social enterprises that create positive impact, we recently visited Coffee for Peace in Davao, Mindanao. This inspiring organization is dedicated to promoting economic empowerment, peace, and reconciliation, and environmental stewardship among indigenous communities. Empowering Communities Through Coffee Coffee for Peace works with rural poor and indigenous people to provide training and economic opportunities. By teaching communities how to cultivate and harvest coffee, they're creating stable livelihoods for those who need it most. The trained farmers and communities then become suppliers of coffee beans to Coffee for Peace. Breaking Cycles of Conflict What's remarkable about Coffee...