Gigantic makes Candy Deluxe, a line of mini candy bars pairing Italian dark chocolate with brown-sugar caramel for a less-sweet, grown-up take on the classic treat. The small startup uses real organic sugar instead of artificial sweeteners, and its vegan bars are designed as a compact hit of flavor rather than an oversized confection. Its chocolate is organic and Fairtrade certified, while its palm oil carries Palm Done Right certification.
Organic
Fairtrade Certified
Palm Done Right
Certified Gluten-Free
Lagusta's LusciousSince 2003, Lagusta’s Luscious has made small-batch vegan chocolates in New Paltz, pairing bold, unexpected flavors with painstaking artisan techniques. The woman-owned business works with small farmers and producers, uses ethical ingredients and recycled packaging, and treats social justice and environmental responsibility as part of the confectionery’s everyday practice. Its chocolates are made by hand in a shop that grew from one employee to as many as 15 during the holiday season.NEW PALTZ, NY
Morito ChocolatesFemale-founded Morito Chocolates makes cacao-driven vegan confections by hand in Brooklyn, beginning with its signature chocolate sticks and expanding into filled mini cups. The company builds each small batch from cacao, using organic, gluten-free ingredients and a short ingredient list so the chocolate’s character stays clear. Its sourcing is rooted in the Caribbean, including a partnership with Puerto Rico’s Hacienda Jeanmarie, the island’s first registered cacao hacienda.BROOKLYN, NY
Sweet Vegan ChocolatesVegan chef Andrea Young founded Sweet Vegan Chocolates after learning to bake from her grandmother in Indiana, building a New York City chocolate company around inclusive, allergy-conscious indulgence. Its small-batch truffles are made for people who want plant-based chocolate without giving up flavor, while the company’s partnership with the Summer Youth Employment Program gives local students practical experience in food entrepreneurship.NEW YORK, NY
Harken SweetsFounded by lifelong candy fan Katie after a colon cancer scare prompted her to rethink sugar and fiber, Harken Sweets makes date-caramel candy bars that recreate old-school treats with plant-based ingredients. Its bars are naturally sweetened with dates, contain no added sugar, and pack 14 grams of prebiotic fiber, offering a gut-friendly take on familiar chocolate-candy flavors.