I Love Fair Trade Chocolate Day

by Amanda Kloer · 2010-05-19 11:00:00 UTC
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Yesterday, Hershey's declared May 18th "I Love Reese's Day," which was basically an Internet promotion to get people to think about, talk about, and hopefully buy their chocolate and peanut butter confections. But a lot of people don't love Reese's, because Hershey's sources its cocoa from plantations which use child and forced labor and have repeatedly refused to make a commitment to buying better cocoa. So that's why I'm declaring today, May 19th, "I Love Fair Trade Chocolate Day." Take that, Hershey's!

Several organizations came together yesterday to proclaim why they don't love Reese's. They don't love the fact that Hershey's buys cocoa from areas where up to 15% of the children living there were forced into labor in 2009. They don't love that Hershey's has fallen well behind rivals like Cadbury in developing sustainable and fair sourcing policies. And they don't love that when consumers bite into a Reese's cup, they might be biting into slavery. And I've got to agree with them.

But we all need a little chocolate in our lives, which is why I'm declaring today "I Love Fair Trade Chocolate Day." What's that you say? Is this just an excuse for me to chow down on some delicious slave-free candy? Maybe. But it's also a chance for those of us who love Fair Trade chocolate to stand up and say why. I love Fair Trade chocolate because it can help end child labor and exploitation in the cocoa industry. I love biting into a bar and thinking about how the people who produced what I'm eating were paid a fair wage and treated with respect. I love knowing that making the world a better place and enjoying a delicious treat can be done at the same time. And, yes, I love an excuse to eat chocolate.

So celebrate "I Love Fair Trade Chocolate Day" by digging in to your favorite bar. Here are some brands to try, if you haven't gone Fair Trade before. Most can be found at your local grocery store on the candy aisle or ordered online.

  • Green and Black's: Recently made a commitment to go 100% Fair Trade, but is using up their old labels first (so don't be worried if you don't see the certification on the bar).

  • Divine: Their bite-sized tidbits are especially yummy.

  • Trader Joes's Super Dark: If you're not into sugary chocolate, this is the bar for you.

  • Equal Exchange: The milk chocolate is super creamy and delicious.

  • Whole Foods Fair Trade Swiss Chocolate line: They have a fair trade version of Nutella, which is amazing.

Hershey's, if you decide to switch to Fair Trade cocoa, then today I'll love you too.

Photo credit: Rev Dan Catt

Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic

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