I was browsing the website treehugger and I ran across an article about "ethical easter chocolate." I love the idea... but as someone who has more than just one sweet tooth ethical chocolate is not just a holiday concern. But what is the deal with "ethical" chocolate? And how sustainable are most chocolates?
(If you don't want to wade through all the background information hop to the bottom of the page where I have listed companies)
A little background:
According to National Wildlife Federation "Chocolate begins with the cacao plant, which is native to the tropical rain forests of Central and South America. For more than a thousand years, cacao plants were cultivated throughout the forest, tucked under a lush canopy of shade." Unfortunately in modern cacao farming deforestation is being used to grow more cacao plants, inviting along with it all of the usual problems of deforestation and over farming - let alone chocolate specific problems. When I say "chocolate specific" I mean problems stemming from 'big food' companies being the majority of manufactures of chocolate products. A lot of these companies create the potential for poor wages and alleged use of child labor.* Not to mention the additives they put into most of the mass produced food we consume (but we'll get into that another day.) Even those producers who use traditional farming techniques suffer due to low productivity, crop loss and typical regional problems such as access to education and HIV/AIDS.
*(That being said: "The Hershey’s sustainability report, last published for the 2009 operating year, makes sourcing a key focus. The company is working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Cocoa Foundation and the International Cocoa Initiative to find “responsible” cocoa sources. Hershey’s joined the AIM-PROGRESS initiative in 2010, toward that end. The goal of the group is to help promote supply-chain-wide awareness of sustainable sourcing practices" - SmartPlanet)
Fair Trade:
You may have heard the term 'fair trade' being used at your local coffee shop, but they have interests in far more products than just coffee. According to Fair Trade USA "Fair Trade goods are just that. Fair. From far-away farms to your shopping cart, products that bear our logo come from farmers and workers who are justly compensated. We help farmers in developing countries build sustainable businesses that positively influence their communities. We're a nonprofit, but we don't do charity. Instead, we teach disadvantaged communities how to use the free market to their advantage. With Fair Trade USA, the money you spend on day-to-day goods can improve an entire community’s day-to-day lives." One easy way to begin supporting and looking out for our global community is to search out products with the Fair Trade logo - with chocolate and beyond! However, since we are talking about cocoa here... any chocolate goods certified with the fair trade logos "ensures that farmers receive a fair price, allows farmers to invest in techniques that bring out the flavors of the region, and strictly prohibits slave and child labor." Unfortunately Fair Trade Certified chocolate goods only account for .1% of the market. One promising statistic, though, is that "sales of chocolate certified by the Rainforest Alliance apparently doubled from 2007 to 2009, and there is reason to believe that trend continued through 2010." (SmartPlanet)
Who else is helping?
Who else is helping?
Global Exchange:
According to Global Exchange's website: "Global Exchange is actively challenging the entire cocoa industry to stop using child labor and start using Fair Trade certified cocoa, through corporate campaigns and policy work." They have stores in four locations if you are lucky enough to live near one.
Rainforest Alliance:
And finally, Rainforest Alliance who "works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior." You can read the list of Rainforest Alliance certified products which I would definitely suggest we all take note of (maybe mark down some brands for your next shopping trip.)
So where CAN you buy ethical, sustainable chocolate?
You can buy some products online at Equal Exchange. Either order them at a local retailer or order them online. You can buy cocoa powder or bars in bulk (enough to keep you stocked up for a hot minute.)
Rain Forest Alliance Certified Chocolates:
A list of where you can buy Back to Nature (or online on amazon.)
Information about the Mars Cocoa Sustainability Program. Dove is a member of Together Counts, and any of their packaging that displays a tree frog is a Rainforest Alliance certified item. (Not sure if they all are, or just certain chocolates.)
Endangered Species Chocolate is a member of the African Wildlife Foundation, See Turtles, Endangered Species Chocolate Foundation.
I'm sure you all known about Newman's Own! But if not "Certified organic by Oregon Tilth. Ingredients have been grown on farms that have not used artificial fertilizers or pesticides for three years or more. The farms and processors have been certified by an independent third party. Kosher certification by Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, 333 Seventh Avenue, New York." I am not exactly sure of their exact 'fair trade' and sustainability status but they have a pretty good reputation over all and were on the Rainforest Alliance's list.
They have places to buy in almost every state, or you can buy online.
Vosges is a little more decadent. Their partner's are VDay , School of Choice in Haiti, and Little Kids Rock.
I'm sure I don't need to tell you guys about Whole Foods. They are all over!
And if that wasn't enough for you, here are a few easier to find chocolate makers from the TreeHugger post.
They are Fair Trade and Organic with factories that hold public tours daily.
Fair Trade, Handmade and Nonprofit. Members of Fair Trade Federation, Green America, and the World Fair Trade Organization.
Your favorite company not on here? Look them up! Most companies who do make an effort to be sustainable and ethical LOVE to use it as publicity so it should be advertised if they do. The red flags will start popping up if the issue is ignored.
Hopefully the next time a craving hits you can fulfill it with only guilt about your waistline and not about the planet.
**ALL LOGOS BELONG TO THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS**
All other information cited below
(you can also find a list of companies that belong to the World Cocoa Foundation on this website.)
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