How a visit to a Berkeley chocolate factory sparked a radical lifestyle change

written by Joni Kabana | photography by Reva Keller

Way up north in Washington, just 5 miles from the Canadian border, there’s a sweet stop worth a visit: Fresco Chocolate. Founded by Rob Anderson and his wife, Amy, this award-winning craft chocolate company has collected more than fifty national and international honors, yet Anderson maintains a humble and welcoming presence in the small agricultural town of Lynden.

Anderson’s path to chocolate wasn’t traditional. With a background in electrical engineering and computer science, he spent decades designing products and leading technical teams. But a chance visit to a Berkeley chocolate factory in 2003 changed everything. Captivated by the aroma and artistry, Anderson began experimenting in his garage with equipment he built himself. By 2010, Fresco Chocolate was born, and today visitors can taste the results of his curiosity.

“After years in high-stress jobs, my goal with Fresco Chocolate is simple: make the best chocolate I can and have fun doing it,” Anderson said. “Chocolate making is my creative escape, a place where I can experiment freely without asking anyone’s permission.”

Anderson ensures each bar of chocolate is a flavor adventure. He often roasts the same cocoa beans at different levels to reveal their personalities, from fruity and bright to deep and smoky, and likes to give visitors side-by-side taste tests so they can experience how one ingredient can become many different chocolates. If you prefer something more than a chocolate bar, Fresco Chocolate also collaborates with nearby candymaker The C Shop in Birch Bay to produce specialties like cocoa nib brittle and marshmallows.

Visitors can browse award-winning bars, sample selections and learn about the bean-to-bar process that defines the craft. Lynden, with its Dutch-inspired architecture and farming roots, makes for a charming backdrop to a chocolate adventure.

Beyond making chocolate, Anderson places community involvement as a priority by sponsoring local sports, supporting performing arts and donating to mission projects. By balancing between craft, community and family, Anderson believes his sweetest life goals are being met.