The next time you’re struck with a chocolate craving, consider giving Fair Trade chocolates a try. They’re a delicious alternative to the treats you may be used to.
Fair Trade Certified
Like other Fair Trade products, Fair Trade chocolates are produced in a socially conscious manner. In Canada, Transfair—an independent, non-profit agency—certifies Fair Trade products.
In the case of chocolate, Fair Trade certification means that producers:
- buy directly from farmers or co-operatives that grow the cocoa (the base ingredient for chocolate); and
- pay a price that covers the actual cost of cocoa production.
The Fair Trade system also:
- encourages safer and sustainable cocoa-farming practices that reduce the need for pesticides; and
- provides consumers a trustworthy guarantee that no forced or abusive child labour was used in making the product.
Bitter Chocolate Facts
- Most cocoa farmers receive about a penny for a typical $1 chocolate bar.
- In 2001, the International Labour Organization reported child slavery existed on many cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast, the source of 43 per cent of the world's cocoa.
- In 2002, the world's largest chocolate producers pledged to make their chocolate products slavery free by 2005. They have not lived up to this pledge.
Growing Popularity
The good news is that more Canadians are buying into the Fair Trade ideal. In 2005, Canadians bought more than $3 million worth of Fair Trade cocoa products (compared to less than $500,000 in 2002).
Not sure where to buy Fair Trade chocolate? Check out TransFair for lists of Canadian retailers selling Fair Trade Certified products in stores and over the Internet.
To learn more about social-justice issues, join the World Vision Justice Network by clicking here.
Not into chocolate? Find other socially conscious gifts in the World Vision Gift Catalogue.
Sponsor a child today, click here.
