Black Friday has become synonymous with consumer frenzy. Every year, shoppers flood stores and websites in search of the biggest discounts, often buying products they don’t need, simply because they’re cheap. But behind the allure of deep discounts and fast, affordable products lies a darker reality: our obsession with "fast and cheap" is having serious consequences on both the environment and our collective wellbeing.
This race to the bottom encourages the production of disposable, low-quality items that are often made under unethical conditions. In addition to contributing to environmental degradation, it undermines the craftsmanship, care, and effort that goes into creating high-quality, ethical, and sustainable products.
For small businesses like ours, this creates immense pressure. The care and craftsmanship that goes into harvesting and processing our cacao in small batches results in a premium quality product that simply can't be produced at rock-bottom prices. Unlike mass-produced items that are churned out quickly and cheaply, our cacao undergoes a thoughtful, time-intensive process that prioritizes both quality and sustainability. Our cacao is not cheap, but it is crafted with love, respect for the earth, and a commitment to ethical sourcing.
The environmental toll of mass consumerism is staggering. From excessive waste generated by overproduction to the carbon emissions created by transporting cheap goods around the world, Black Friday’s focus on cheap, fast purchases contributes significantly to environmental damage. The "throwaway culture" that accompanies such sales leads to more items being discarded, often within months of purchase, clogging landfills and further straining our planet’s limited resources.
This consumer culture also places immense pressure on small businesses, who often cannot compete with the prices offered by large corporations. The demand for cheaper products can force companies to cut corners, often sacrificing ethical sourcing practices or sustainability in the process. At Soma Cacao, we refuse to compromise our values for the sake of offering discounts. We believe in honoring the work of the farmers who grow and harvest our cacao, as well as ensuring that the land they cultivate is cared for sustainably.
Unfortunately, the frenzy of Black Friday discounts often devalues this kind of thoughtful production. It’s easy to forget that behind every ethical, handmade product is a network of real people—farmers, artisans, and small business owners—who depend on fair prices to make a living. When shoppers demand cheaper prices, it’s often these individuals who suffer most, especially in industries like cacao production where labor-intensive work is involved. For us, maintaining the balance between offering high-quality cacao and ensuring that everyone involved in its production is paid fairly means that we cannot offer rock-bottom prices or sweeping store-wide discounts.
As a small, family-run business, our margins are tight. We’re committed to providing you with the highest quality cacao at a fair price—one that reflects the true value of the product, from the farmers who grow it to the craftsmanship that goes into processing it. This means that we rarely offer wholesale prices, as we do not have the pricing structure or supply levels to support this. And while we love the idea of offering special deals to our loyal customers, the reality is that we simply cannot afford to offer store-wide discounts without compromising the quality and sustainability of our cacao.
This Black Friday, as tempting as it may be to join in the shopping frenzy, we’ll be stepping back and asking ourselves a few important questions before making any purchases:
We invite you to ask yourselves the same questions and reflect on how we can all make more mindful, conscious choices when it comes to our purchases.
Every time you purchase from a small business, especially one that prioritizes ethical sourcing and sustainability, you are casting a vote for a more thoughtful, responsible economy. You are directly supporting individuals who are passionate about their craft and committed to making a positive impact on the planet.
At Soma Cacao, we work closely with our suppliers, many of whom are small, family-owned cacao farms. By cutting out the middlemen and working directly with these farmers, we can ensure that they are paid fairly for their work and that the land they cultivate is treated with respect. Our cacao is grown and harvested using traditional methods that are gentle on the earth, and each batch is processed with care to ensure that it retains its full nutritional value.
When you choose Soma Cacao, you’re not just buying a product—you’re supporting an entire ecosystem of ethical, sustainable practices. Our decision not to offer deep Black Friday discounts is not about greed or exclusivity; it’s about maintaining the integrity of our product and ensuring that we can continue to support the farmers, artisans, and workers who make Soma Cacao possible.
Black Friday doesn’t have to be about mindless consumption. It can be an opportunity to reflect on what truly matters—whether that’s investing in high-quality, sustainable products or supporting businesses that align with your values. It’s also a chance to take a step back and evaluate what you really need in your life, rather than getting swept up in the pressure to buy for the sake of buying.
As we approach this busy shopping season, let’s all take a moment to consider the impact of our choices. Instead of chasing the biggest discounts, we can choose to invest in products that are made with care, sustainability, and ethics in mind. By doing so, we not only support small businesses like ours but also contribute to a more sustainable, responsible future.
This Black Friday, we hope you’ll join us in making mindful, conscious decisions that reflect our shared values. And if you choose to indulge in some Soma Cacao, you can rest assured that you’re supporting a business that prioritiz\ses people, the planet, and quality above all else.
