In time for Valentine’s Day, The Food Channel® is featuring chocolate that foodies can feel ‘extra’ good about. Independent chocolate maker Shawn Askinosie of Askinosie Chocolates, who pays his contracted cacao farmers beyond the standard Fair Trade rate, is spotlighted on the popular food Web site along with other editorial reviews of organic and ethical chocolate choices. See the story and recipes here.

Askinosie says his philosophy, learned from fellow Ozarks businessman and author Jack Stack, is to offer the farmers ‘A Stake in the Outcome.’ He travels to Ecuador and Mexico to personally meet with his farmers and to share ten percent of the net profits from the chocolate made from the beans grown on their farms.

Profits aren’t the only thing Askinosie has shared—the founder also provided original Askinosie Chocolate recipes to chefs at The Food Channel ‘s culinary center, who prepared and photographed the rich, romantic and ultrachocolatey delights, according to senior editor Kay Logsdon.

As part of The Food Channel’s holiday coverage, editors revealed the top ten low-cost Valentine ideas to deliver high results, including ideas such as a utensil bouquet or an at-home series of appetizers and wine tasting. Original recipes created by the chefs of The Food Channel, along with selected featured recipes from food bloggers and corporate recipe partners, are also available on the site.