Even though Americans spend $16 billion a year on decadent cocoa products, small-scale family cocoa farmers face tremendous instability. They are often forced to sell their harvest to local middlemen who use rigged scales or misrepresent world prices, and media reports of child slavery show the stark contrast between the delicious treat we enjoy and the difficult working conditions of the people who produce it. Fair Trade certification ensures that cocoa farmers receive a fair price for their harvest, creates direct trade links between farmer-owned cooperatives and buyers, and provides access to affordable credit. Fair Trade strictly prohibits slave and child labor, and farms are inspected to ensure that Fair Trade standards are met. And Fair Trade allows cocoa farmers to invest in techniques that bring out the individual flavors of the region and ensure the highest quality, most flavorful beans.
You can enjoy chocolate that makes you feel as good as it tastes! Cocoa farmers are often forced to sell their harvest to middlemen who rig scales or misrepresent prices, and media reports of child slavery show the stark contrast between the delicious treat and the difficult conditions of the people who produce it. Fair Trade certification 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.
