By: Kelsey Waros, Fair Trade Towns USA
Most of us know what it is like to taste the sweet, creamy, distinctive substance that is known as chocolate. Most of us also know that this delicious treat is the nectar of the gods, and without it, life is simply not worth living.
Okay, okay, so maybe we won’t go that far- but chocolate definitely makes life a little sweeter both figuratively and literally. However, what most chocolate lovers are unaware of is that this scrumptious indulgence can be unfairly produced, making the lives of its producers very sour, indeed.
According to Fair Trade USA, cocoa farmers are often forced to sell their product to “middlemen” who reap most of the profits of the cocoa. These middlemen often rig the scale and sell the product at misrepresented prices, thus making more money off the cocoa, but unfairly doing so. The chocolate that Americans consume daily originates in West Africa, where unfair prices of the cocoa bean are extremely common. Producers however take the unfair pricing of their cocoa beans because the alternative is typically no money at all. “When people think of fair trade, they think of coffee, but fair trade chocolate is growing,” ‘says Nichole Chettero of TransFair, a U.S.-based organization that certifies goods as being produced or grown under the basic principles of fair trade. “For cocoa products, that means farmers receive a guaranteed fair price for their harvest, even when the crop may be poor. That’s set at $1,600 per metric ton of cocoa beans, which includes a $150 premium that stays with the cooperatives while the balance goes to farmers.”
This will allow the farmers in developing countries to build their business, and perform tasks that they never were able to do before. This includes feeding themselves and their children, and sending their children to school.
Not only do the producers of cocoa get unfair pay for their products, but child labor violations have been recently reported within major chocolate companies. This cocoa is said to have come from farms in West Africa that were built on illegal child labor, with appalling working conditions that date back as far as 2001.
Sounds a little crazy, right? These reasons among thousands of others is why Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania should go fair trade.
Fair Trade Towns USA is a national organization that promotes the Fair Trade system. FTT unites conscious consumers, dedicated activists, members of the business and retail community, local communities of faith and other community organizations, and your city or town government in the effort to ensure that we are all playing a part in supporting those who provide us with so much in the US market. Through dynamic events, meetings, online organizing and other outreach we bring together a diverse group of community members to expand the message of the importance of Fair Trade and unite our communities behind a banner of global justice and equity. It is our goal to make Pittsburgh, Pa certified as the next “Fair Trade Town.” The Fair Trade label promotes economic justice around the world, so why don’t we fight for it?
Find out what we’re all about: http://www.fairtradetownsusa.org
Want to help? We’re always looking for volunteers!
“Like” the idea? “Like” us! Facebook: Fair Trade Pittsburgh
Twitter: @Fair Trade Pgh
Sources:
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/nov/02/business/la-fi-mo-hershey-cocoa-child-labor-20121102
Hsu, Tiffany. “Hershey sued over African cocoa farm child labor accusations – Los Angeles Times.” Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 July 2013. .
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/02/hershey-child-labor_n_2060702.html
Hals, Tom. “Hershey Accused Of Using Cocoa Suppliers That Employ Child Labor.” Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 July 2013. .
http://www.progressive.org/media_mpfuentes020707
Fuentes, Annette. “Valentine’s chocolates bittersweet for cocoa farmers | The Progressive.” The Progressive | Peace and social justice since 1909. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 July 2013. .
“Fair Trade Towns .” Fair Trade Towns . N.p., n.d. Web. 9 July 2013. .
Fair Trade Towns USA 