Maya Mountain Cacao, one of the largest cacao companies in Belize and a major contributor to Toledo’s economy, is preparing for a historic transformation. Based in Big Falls and operating for more than 15 years, the company currently purchases cacao from over 400 farmers across the region. Although it has always been privately owned, founder Emily Stone now wants the farmers to own the business outright. For that reason, Maya Mountain Cacao is transitioning into a cooperative model, putting control and long-term benefits directly into the hands of the people who grow the cacao. This weekend, MMC held a major meeting with hundreds of farmers to outline the proposed structure and discuss the path forward.