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Have
you ever wondered what all the fuss was about for
chocolate that's Fair Trade Certified? I think we all can see the importance of
Fair Trade as a whole, but why for chocolate? Hey, I know it's the Food of
the Gods, a delectable sin and all that, but is Fair
Trade Certified chocolate really necessary?
I had
recently asked myself this question and decided to
find out. And what I did find I can honestly
say has won me over. Not that I wasn't won over
before. I'm really not that much of a chocolate
consumer, however, the last couple of time that I
actually bought a chocolate bar from the grocery
store, not only was the chocolate Fair Trade
Certified, it was organic as well. I'm not saying I
deserve an award, but at least it was something. Yay
for me!
As I sought out more information on Fair Trade
Certified chocolate, my travels eventually brought me
to Co-op America, where my wife and myself are
supporting members. Co-op America is steadfastly
committed to social and economic justice, and I
couldn't think of anybody better who might have the
inside scoop on organic and Fair Trade Certified
chocolate. I wasn't disappointed.
According to Co-op America's "Quarterly"
publication (Winter, 2007), an issue dedicated
to economic action in Africa, over 10,000 children are
enslaved on cocoa farms in Africa. Furthermore, the
bulk of the cocoa produced on these farms is purchased
by Nestle, Cargill and Archer-Daniels Midland, who in
turn, supply practically all of the cocoa used by the
largest chocolate producing companies in the U.S.,
including Hershey's and M&M/Mars. And with such a
large demand being placed on farmers, who are being
severely underpaid by middleman, many cocoa farmers are
using toxic chemicals and fertilizers to increase
production.
Although there is a lawsuit against
Nestle, Cargill and ADM currently making its way
through the courts, the child slave labor and
environmental degradation continues.
Obviously, the case to purchase Fair Trade Certified
Chocolate, which ensures fair wages directly to the
farmers themselves, is the best thing you can do for
Africa, the environment and yourself. Oh, and did I
mention it really does taste better. Delighting in
delectable sin and helping save the environment at the
same time...Could it get any better than this?!
Author: Ry
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