Chocolate On Purpose: creating a culinary and cultural experience on Wiradjuri Country

Chocolate on Purpose, is a wholly Indigenous owned business run by Wiradjuri woman Fiona Harrison who creates unique fusions of Belgian chocolate and Australian native plants.

Fiona explains the remarkable origins of her business, which she began in 2013 on Country at the source of the Bila Bula (Belubula River), in Millthorpe on the Central Tablelands of NSW.

‘Chocolate On Purpose evolved from my passion for both the healing power of botanicals – which are our food and medicine – and my wish to
share our First Nations peoples’ traditional use of Australian native botanicals,’ Fiona said.

‘This began with me experiencing complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after being involved in an armed hold-up/hostage situation. After finding relief from my symptoms with essential oils, I was intrigued that a botanical essence could be a healer so I studied Aromatic Botanical Therapy.’

Looking to deliver these botanical essences in a ‘mainstream’ way, Fiona and her colleague Jo arrived at chocolate combined with the trove of existing First Nations knowledge.

‘My ancestors have been using bush food (Australian native botanicals) for tens of thousands of years … That’s how the business idea came about, why my chocolate range is called “Bush Food Chocolate”, and when I realised my vision: to share culture through storytelling with chocolate,’ she said.

Fiona’s fare includes native botanicals such as Garal (Wattleseed), Boombera (Macadamia Nut), Gulalung (Finger Limes), and Wyrrung (Wild Rosella), among many others.

She said she sources ingredients from Indigenous farmers around Australia as much as possible, ‘increasing their participation in the Australian native botanical and bush food supply chain, in which they are underrepresented’.

Her clients have included state government bodies, universities across Australia, and large corporates.

‘Hollywood even came to Chocolate On Purpose when NBC/Universal Studios purchased chocolate to gift to their employees!’

Fiona’s vision to expand her business and establish an Indigenous chocolate tasting experience is being realised with help from Indigenous Tourism Fund (ITF) grants.

Chocolate on Purpose was among the 60 successful applicants who will share in almost $3 million recently announced in the first round of the Indigenous Tourism grants.

 ‘I thank NIAA for seeing my vision and extending a tourism grant to bring it to life.’

The experience is to be a fusion of the cultural and culinary.

‘Our vision is to share culture through storytelling with chocolate, educating on the traditional use of the botanicals by our First Nations Peoples, to deepen respect for our wisdom and culture.’

The grant has been a boost for the company, with the seismic events of recent times and pandemic-related trials.

‘I'm grateful for a business model that enabled me to pivot and create an online business;’ she said.

‘However, I miss the face-to-face interaction that lends itself more to extended conversations and the segue to Indigenous issues, so I'm very excited for lockdowns to lift, so I can offer my new Chocolate Experience face-to-face. ‘

As for the future, Fiona’s dreams are boundless.

‘Within five years I hope to have obtained co-funding to enable purchase of land on Country to create a place of total immersion in the aromas, flavours, colours and ancient wisdom of Indigenous Australia – to facilitate experiential learning, healing and reconciliation. So that in ten years this will be a thriving cultural centre.’

‘I am more powerful than I ever imagined,’ she said.

‘I am a marramaldhaany (creator) and my chocolate has value in both a culinary and cultural sense. Many Australians are hungry to learn about Indigenous culture and they have a deep wish to progress reconciliation.’