Philadelphia Chocolate Entrepreneurs Make Bars from Urban Gardens

Over the past 10 years, a Philadelphia-based chocolate enterprise has been featured on PBS, Fox News and the Martha Stewart Show, as well as at the Malvern Farmers Market.

John & Kira’s Chocolates began as a sweet-making stint in co-owner John Doyle’s West Philadelphia apartment in 2001. After gaining acclaim from the February 2003 cover of Gourmet Magazine, the growing demand for the Doyles’ gourmet chocolate prompted the company to expand its domain to warehouse production in Philadelphia. A self-declared “socially innovative” business, John & Kira’s now imports fresh ingredients locally, nationally and internationally and sells chocolates at farmers markets and retailers in the Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, DC areas.

The husband-wife duo does not operate from a storefront, relying on business from retailers including Talula’s Table in Kennett Square, Burlap & Bean in Newtown Square and DiBruno Brothers in Ardmore. They also are available for order via catalogue or online order. The rented production facility in Philadelphia consists of both the kitchen and office space.

“It’s a gourmet confection, and it’s nothing like a Hershey bar,” said Julie Walker, director of business development. “They’re one of those kinds of chocolates that you can only have one or two at a time because they’re so rich.”

While the business offers only one product under $20, it separates itself from corporate giants by concocting treats from organic ingredients and supporting small-town values.

John & Kira’s “Urban Garden Bars” developed from a partnership with a student-run urban garden in Philadelphia called the Urban Nutrition Initiative. As a collaborative effort on both the agriculture and business sides, John & Kira’s provides the plants, purchases the herbs and returns 5 percent of profits to the gardens. Harvested herbs come from four Philadelphia-based gardens, including Kentucky Colonel mint, lavender, chili peppers and rosemary.

The Doyles also source from a number of farms in Pennsylvania. Their honey has origins in Millerton, raspberries and strawberries from Green Meadow Gap and maple syrup from Sabinsville. Many fruits also come from California, and international producers are derived from Mexico, India, Indonesia, Spain and Sri Lanka.

“We’re just as happy to support a Mexican cooperative in Chiapas as a local farm that supports our beliefs,” Walker said.

Popular products include the red, yellow and green ladybug and bee bite-size chocolates with various gooey fillings, packaged in a coordinating gift box. They are often purchased as corporate gifts or by individual buyers, and can be shipped all over the country year-round through the use of insulation.

“It feels like you're giving something wonderful,” Walker said. “You can feel like you're doing well by supporting family business and good values.”