Additional Services for Chocolate Makers and Retailers

At Chocolate Squirrel, our mission goes beyond importing and distributing fine craft chocolate. We’re here to support chocolate makers in every step of their journey – from perfecting their bars to finding their way into the North American market.

With decades of combined experience in craft chocolate, sensory analysis, and FDA compliance, our founders Ella and Bob are uniquely positioned to offer expert guidance tailored to the needs of small-batch makers.

Whether you're looking to refine your products, improve your packaging, or prepare to enter a new market, we offer a range of services to help you succeed:

  • U.S. Market Entry Advice

    Breaking into the U.S. market can be daunting. We help international makers navigate this complex landscape, from understanding buyer expectations, consumer trends and popular products, to preparing for FDA registration and finding the right distribution partner. 

    We’ll help you understand the stepping stones towards the goal of selling your chocolate in the U.S. We can help you avoid costly missteps, such as working importers who don’t fully understand import laws, which can result in getting blacklisted by U.S. Customs.

  • Packaging Assessment & Feedback

    Packaging tells your story before the chocolate is even unwrapped. We’ll assess your design, materials, labeling, and shelf appeal, offering guidance on how to stand out while staying true to your brand. We can help you get compliant with U.S. regulations, and give insights into things that North American retailers like to see or require on wrappers. 

    We’ll help you avoid wasting time and money on packaging designs that won’t work for the North American market.

    Note: we cannot advise or assist you with creating FDA nutritional labels, but we can provide a template for the requirements.

  • Chocolate Assessment & Feedback

    We offer in-depth evaluations of your chocolate – from flavor and texture to balance and finish. Drawing from years of judging experience with the International Chocolate Awards, Good Food Awards, and more, we provide constructive, thoughtful feedback to help you refine your craft and elevate your bars. We can also offer insights into what works (or doesn’t work) in the North American market.

  • Product/Recipe Development

    Creating the right products for the North American market requires more than just great chocolate – it takes an understanding of what resonates with local consumers. We can work with you to refine existing recipes or develop new ones that balance your brand’s identity with market demand.

    Whether it’s experimenting with inclusions, adjusting flavour profiles, or exploring new techniques, we’ll help you craft products that stand out and tell your story, while appealing to North American tastes. Our guidance can save you time and resources, and ensure your innovations have the best chance of success in a highly competitive market.

  • Staff Chocolate Training

    We offer customized chocolate training sessions for retail and hospitality staff. These sessions cover chocolate tasting, storytelling, and how to speak confidently about craft chocolate with customers. Educating your staff will help them speak with your customers with confidence, passion and expertise. Better educated staff = more sales. 

Why work with us?

Ella Selfridge is the founder and curator of Chocolate Squirrel. Her deep connections with chocolate makers around the world and her passion for telling their stories shape everything we do. With advanced certifications in chocolate tasting and years of experience in product curation and development, Ella brings both knowledge and heart to her consulting work.

Bob Goldfarb is a chocolate advisor and FDA specialist who’s been immersed in the craft chocolate world since 2007. With advanced sensory certifications and a wealth of judging experience, he specializes in helping foreign chocolate makers meet U.S. import requirements and fine-tune their offerings for this market.

Together, Ella and Bob combine a love for fine chocolate with a practical, hands-on approach to helping makers grow while staying true to their values. If you’re a chocolate maker looking for honest feedback, regulatory guidance, or a deeper understanding of the North American market, we’re here to help.

Get in touch.

Our hourly rate is USD $125


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