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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Valentines Day Chocolate Fair Trade

ChocolateI am a chocoholic and as we reach Valentines day it always reminds me of what a huge impact chocolate has on so many good and bad . Do you know what you could be supporting by purchasing Chocolates or perhaps Hersey's kisses for your loved one this Valentines Day?
After visiting Steelgrass Chocolate Farms in Kauai, Hawaii a couple years back I was informed on what does go on in the name of chocolate.  I now only buy FAIR TRADE CHOCOLATE and I will not support companies like Hersey's. Fair trade chocolate bars are made from cocoa beans which are bought for a fair price from farmers. Hersey's is the largest supplier of Chocolate in our country and they do NOT  support fair trade. Learn more on Hersey's HERE
Now why would you care about FAIR TRADE CHOCOLATE? Here is why...
Cocoa farmers are some of the poorest people in the world and many of them earn on average about £50 a year. That is about $68 dollars income a year. These farmers can not supply basic needs like food, clean water and education for their children or families. 
Most of our chocolate comes from the Ivory Coast region of West Africa, where cocoa production is an enormous part of the economy. In Ghana, 40 percent of the country’s export revenues come from the sale of cocoa. Unfortunately, very little of the profit goes to the farmers who grow the cocoa beans.  I can afford to buy a candy bar, so I can afford to pay such a small price more to get fair trade candy bar. Many of these farmers and their children have never even had the luxury of eating a chocolate candy bar.
284,000 children toil in abusive labor conditions in West Africa's Chocolate fields
In fact, the difficulty in making a living at cocoa farming has spawned an increase in child and even slave labor drawn from poor neighboring countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo. Children and other workers are forced to work long days picking and processing cocoa beans (it takes 400 of these pods to make just one pound of chocolate). Very few of the children have the opportunity to attend school. It is also reported in that about 12,500 children working on cocoa farms had no relatives in the area, a warning sign for serious trafficking.
Fair Trade cocoa offers farmers an opportunity to make a real living and STOP child slavery on the Cocoa fields.
The Fair Trade Chocolate production criteria guarantees:  



  • Forced and abusive child labor are prohibited 
  • Farming families earn a price that is adequate to meet their basic human needs
  • Environmentally sustainable production methods are required
    • Buying Fair Trade Chocolate not only seems like the right choice but the only choice




    • Below is a long– but by no means all-inclusive – list of fair trade and organic chocolate suppliers





















      These Companies that either directly support the communities of their cacao farmers or offer chocolate that is both organic and fair trade are denoted in bold. 
      Eat responsibly!












Allison's Gourmet (http://www.allisonsgourmet.com)
This vegan bakery offers up cookies, brownies, coffe, tea, hot cocoa in addition to their award-winning organic vegan fudge and organic vegan chocolate truffles, caramels and toffee. Chocolate is Fair Trade (along with their coffee and tea).
Alter Eco (http://www.altereco-usa.com)
Imports and distributes Fair Trade, organic and carbon neutral foods made by small-scale farmers around the world including chocolate bars in assorted flavors.
Amano Artisan Chocolate (http://www.amanochocolate.com)
Fairly traded, but not certified, retail and wholesale chocolate bars. Award-winning small batch 
chocolate.
BĂȘte Noire Chocolates (http://betenoirechocolates.com/)
Some organic, fair trade and vegan offerings. Plus the all important vegan chocolate bunnies and vegan chocolate eggs for Easter, plus other chocolate gift bags.


LOVE! One of my favorites!
























Some organic all fair trade offerings. Delicious and adorable Valentine products. They really have it all!

Boardwalk Chocolates (http://www.boardwalkchocolates.com/)
Vegan organic Fair Trade truffles from Toronto!
Chocaid.com (http://www.chocaid.com)
Fair trade and organic chocolate bars, slabs and truffles out of the UK. A portion of every purchase goes to Save the Children.
The Chocolate Alchemist (http://www.thechocolatealchemist.co.uk)
UK producer of organic and fair trade chocolates, including bars (milk, white, dark and flavored), truffles, chunks, spreads, drinks and seasonal chocolates. Everything is made from the finest quality organic Belgian chocolate.
Chocolate Decadence (http://www.chocolatedecadence.com)
Offers vegan chocolates including holiday shapes, great for gifts. Some ingredients listed as organic.
Chocolate.com (http://www.chocolate.com)
Online chocolate megastore offering just about any chocolate you'd need. Check out their collection of organic chocolates and fair trade chocolates.
Chocolatesource (http://www.chocolatesource.com)
Online store selling both conventional and organic chocolate. Organic chocolate bars from Green & Black's.
Chocolove (http://www.chocolove.com)
www.chocosphere.com.
Chocosphere (http://www.chocosphere.com)
Online store selling both conventional and organic chocolate. Organic chocolate bars from Dagoba, Green & Black's, Grenada and Valrhona Organic.
Cocoa Camino (http://www.cocoacamino.com)
Organic and fair trade chocolate sold off-line in Canada. Product line includes hot chocolate, cocoa powder, milk chocolate bars, bittersweet chocolate bars, dark chocolate bars with almonds, and mocha bars.
CocoaVino (http://www.cocoavino.com)
Bonbons (many infused with wine or liqueurs), fig caramels, drunken figs and monthly tasting subscriptions make the perfect chocolate gift. Ingredients are sourced from regional, sustainable and, when possible, organic and/or fair-trade producers. Powered 100% by wind energy and uses environmentally sensitive packaging.
Cru Cacao (http://www.crucacao.com)
Raw vegan fair trade organic chocolate truffles. Does it get any better than that? Exotic flavor combinations available in select Chicago markets and online. Custom chocolate gift boxes or wedding favors. Also sells wholesale.
Dagoba Organic Chocolate (http://www.dagobachocolate.com)
The first US chocolate manufacturer to produce exclusively organic chocolates. All products fairly traded, some Fair Trade certified. All products also are certified Kosher-D. Available in a variety of bars, baking essentials, drinking chocolates, specialty items and terrific gifts plus in bulk quantities for baking. 
David Wolfe's Sunfood Nutrition (http://www.sunfood.com)
Raw organic cacao nibs and whole beans, raw organic cacao butter and raw organic vegan truffles and chocolates.
Dean's Beans (http://www.deansbeans.com)
Organic chocolate covered coffee beans, chocolate discs, hot cocoa and baking cocoa. Oh yes, organic coffee too!
Diamond Organics (http://www.diamondorganics.com)
Online store selling organic chocolate (along with a host of other organic groceries). Organic chocolate bars from Dagoba, Green & Black's, Rapunzel and Newman's Own Organics.
Divine Chocolate (http://www.divinechocolate.com)
UK fair trade chocolate bars (white, milk, dark, flavored), chocolate gifts, seasonal items and cocoa.
Earth's Sweet Pleasures (http://www.earthsweetpleasures.com)
Organic and Fair Trade fudge in Classic Semisweet and Rich Rainforest Dark, both available with and without walnuts. Plans include a "Fudge of the Month" as the perfect chocolate gift.
Endangered Species Chocolate Company (http://www.chocolatebar.com)
Organic and fair trade 'baby bars' and organic 'bug bites' along with flavored conventional chocolate 'animal' bars. Available in stores, at company Web site or at www.mothernature.com.
Equal Exchange (http://www.equalexchange.com/chocolate-bars)
Organic and fair trade chocolate bars (milk, dark and dark with almonds) combine cocoa from three farmer cooperatives in the Dominican Republic and Peru; sugar from four cooperatives in Paraguay and Costa Rica; and milk (in the Milk Chocolate) from a cooperative in the U.S. All products are certified Kosher. Love this company!
Garuda International (http://www.garudainternational.com)
Eco-friendly shopping site with large selection of Fair Trade and organic goods from around the world. Among their offerings are a number of organic and Fair Trade chocolate gift baskets. Some vegan chocolates available too.
Global Exchange Fair Trade Store (http://store.gxonlinestore.org)
Fair trade online store also carrying some organic chocolates. Fair trade and organic chocolates include Equal Exchange, Art Bar, Green & Black's, Divine, Sweetheart and Dagoba. Chocolate gift packs also available.
Green & Black's (http://www.greenandblacks.com)
UK organic and fair trade chocolate. Products include bars (dark, milk, white and flavored), cookies, ice cream and hot cocoa. Available online at: www.chocosphere.com or www.diamondorganics.com.
Green Goddess Organic Chocolate (http://www.foodofthegoddess.com)
Organic and Fair Trade chocolate bars, herbal therapeutic and aromatherapy chocolates, Bliss Balls and Love Truffles making perfect chocolate gifts. Wholesale available.
Grenada Chocolate (http://www.grenadachocolate.com)
Organic chocolate bars and candies. Available direct or from www.chocosphere.com.
Innocent Chocolate (http://www.innocentchocolate.com)
Frozen chocolate treats that melt in your mouth. Made with 100% organic, gluten-free, vegan and mostly raw ingredients without refined sugars.
Intemperantia (http://intemperantia.com)
In addition to conventional and vegan chocolates, also offers a line of organic truffles, chocolates and coated items to enjoy yourself or packaged in beautiful gift boxes for several occasions.
Ithaca Fine Chocolates (http://ithacafinechocolates.stores.yahoo.net)
Maker of the Art Bar: certified organic and Fair Trade Swiss chocolate bars that feature an art reproduction on a collectible card inside the wrapper. 10% of profits support art education.
Katherine-Anne Confections (http://www.katherine-anne.com/)
Chocolate truffles and caramels are handmade from scratch with no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. Only the finest natural ingredients, and many of them are local or organic. If you are lucky enough to live in the Chicagoland area, there is a list of local retailers. Otherwise buy them online.
Kona Kava Farm (http://www.konakavafarm.com)
Vegan chocolate chips from Hawaii.
Lake Champlain Chocolates (http://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com)
Offers both conventional and organic chocolate that is preservative-free and Kosher-certified. Buy direct or check their site for retail locations nationwide.
Life by Chocolate (http://www.lifebychocolates.com)
Organic and fair trade hand made chocolates. Cordials, caramels, bars and more, plus a full line of vegan chocolates that make great chocolate gifts.
Lillie Belle Farms Chocolates (http://www.lilliebellefarms.com)
Hand-made organic truffles. Perfect chocolate gift for someone special. All chocolates are made with an organic single origin chocolate from Costa Rica.
Love Street Living Foods (http://www.lovestreetlivingfoods.com)
Raw food site offering a host of goodies including fairly traded kosher raw organic chocolate in the form of nibs, paste and powder (including bulk sizes), raw organic chocolate bars (regular, super fudge and goji berry) and organic raw vegan chocolate spreads. Chocolate gift baskets and corporate gift boxes available.
MotherNature.com (http://www.mothernature.com)
Online store selling organic chocolate (along with a host of other organic groceries). Organic chocolate bars from Endangered Species, Dagoba, Vivani, Rapunzel and Newman's Own Organics.
Nahualli Trading Co. (http://www.nahuallitrading.com)
Unique offering of Chocolate Seeds: whole peeled organic cacao beans covered in either conventional or organic chocolate.
Nature's Flavors (http://www.naturesflavors.com)
Organic chocolate flavor extract and concentrates, plus organic chocolate baking chips. Some products also Kosher, vegan, dairy free and/or gluten free.
Neuchatel Chocolates (http://www.neuchatelchocolates.com)
Newly added fair trade and organic dark and milk chocolate bars.
NewLeaf Chocolates (http://www.newleafchocolates.com/)
Premium chocolate bars, chocolate confections and hot chocolate, many organic and Fair Trade. NewLeaf has some great sustainability efforts as well.
Newman's Own Organics (http://www.newmansownorganics.com)
Organic chocolate bars (milk, dark and flavored) available online or in stores. Buy online at
www.diamondorganics.com or www.mothernature.com.
Ojai Chocolat (http://www.chilihot-chocolat.com)
Raw organic vegan chocolate treats including chocolate covered nuts, raisins, bars, peanut butter "cupz", chili-hot cocoa and sugar-free chocolates.
Organic Garden Cafe Raw Megastore (http://www.organicgardencafe.com)
Online e-tailer that carries organic raw chocolate beans and nibs.
Organic Revolution Worldwide (http://chocolateorganic.info)
Husband and wife team offering organic chocolate squares, beans and nibs.
Pacari Chocolate (http://www.pacarichocolate.com/)
Pacari is the first single origin organic chocolate made in Ecuador, produced in small batches to maintain its intense flavor profile. All ingredients are 100% organic and produced in a fair and equitable trade manner by small scale farmers in Ecuador. Choose from a range of dark chocolate bars and chocolate coated fruits. Order online at www.chocolate.com or www.chocosphere.com.
Plamil Foods (http://www.plamilfoods.co.uk)
UK manufacturer offering non-dairy and soy-free organic and fair trade chocolate bars (60%, 87% and flavored).
Rapunzel Pure Organics, Inc. (http://www.rapunzel.com)
Organic and fair trade chocolate bars (semisweet, milk, bittersweet, flavored), cocoa powder and truffles. Order online at the following e-tailers: www.mothernature.comwww.efoodpantry.com,www.diamondorganics.com.
Rawganique.com (http://www.rawganique.com)
Organic e-tailer that also carries raw organic cacao nibs.
Rococo Chocolates (http://www.rococochocolates.com)
UK company selling flavored organic chocolate bars along with conventional chocolate. Buy online at www.seventypercent.com













































*According to one of the founders of Rococo, it's more than procrastination that's kept them from filing the paperwork to be fair trade certified: Fair-trade chocolate companies still, almost exclusively, process the value-added product in the first world with raw materials they import from the equatorial belt where cocoa grows. In that way, even the fair-trade system perpetuates a cycle the founders of the Grenada Chocolate Co. are determined to break. "They're buying cocoa from the south part of the world to bring it to the north part of the world," Green said. "But what we're doing can effectively make sure that the people doing the work are actually part of the process. Not only are they Fair but they are going above and beyond to help these poor farmers. I really love that.
Santa Barbara Chocolate (http://www.santabarbarachocolate.com)
Among conventional offerings, you will find Santa Barbara’s certified Fair Trade organic Peruvian chocolate (milk to dark).
Seeds of Change (http://www.seedsofchangefoods.com)
Organic chocolate bars in a variety of flavors. 1% of net sales goes to advance sustainable agriculture worldwide.
Shaman Chocolates (http://www.shamanchocolates.com)
Organic and fair trade chocolates supporting the Huichol Indians living in Mexico's Sierra Madre Mountains. Chocolate bars in five flavors: dark chocolate, dark chocolate with raspberries, dark chocolate with coconut, milk chocolate and milk chocolate with hazelnuts.
Shamans Market (http://www.shamansmarket.com)
Lifestyle site which also carries the organic and fairly traded Kallari Association and Ayni Foods chocolate products.
Sjaak's Organic Chocolates (http://sjaaks.com)
More than a dozen different organic chocolate bars, plus truffles, novelties and chocolate gifts...even holiday chocolates. Uses fair trade practices. Also offers a variety of vegan chocolates. Buy direct or from www.veganessentials.com.
Smith Organic Chocolates (http://www.smithorganicchocolates.com)
Organic chocolate truffles, barks and clusters. Many flavors to choose from, including edible gift boxes and molded chocolates for holidays.
Stirs the Soul (http://www.stirsthesoul.com)
Organic raw chocolate bars and molded chocolates. Maker of the Origins chocolate bar.
Straight from the Garden (http://www.straightfromthegarden.com)
Look for Chocolatl and Righteously Raw brand raw, organic and Fair Trade chocolates and truffle bars.
Sunspire (http://www.sunspire.com)
Organic and fairly traded chocolate products for baking, snacking and candy making without any artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or additives. Check our their Sun Drops, an M&M-like candy, and their vegan chocolate chips. All products certified organic and Kosher.
Sweet Earth Chocolates (http://www.sweetearthchocolates.com)
Organic and fair trade chocolate chips, bars and truffles with bulk quantities available.
Swoon Beams (http://www.swoonbeams.com)
























Organic and Fair Trade fudge in a variety of flavors and (soon) barks. New family-owned company.
Taraluna (http://www.taraluna.com)
Eco-conscious shopping site offering Fair Trade, organic and vegan chocolate bars, molded chocolates, mint cremes and truffles.
Taza Chocolate (http://www.tazachocolate.com/)
Artisinal bean-to-bar 100% stone ground organic chocolate. Offers chocolate gifts, bars and chocolates by the case. Dairy, gluten and soy free.
The Tea Room (http://tea-room.stores.yahoo.net)
Tea-infused organic chocolate truffles, trufflies (little truffles), bars and other goodies.
Terra Nostra Organic Chocolate (http://www.terranostrachocolate.com)
Based in Canada, offers organic and fairly traded chocolate truffles, bars and hot chocolate. Also offers non-dairy chocolate bars.
Theo Chocolate (http://www.theochocolate.com)
Premium organic, fair trade and specialty chocolate. Theo Origin bars range from 65-91% cacao content and are vegan and soy-free. 3400 Phinney chocolate bars come in a variety of flavors with a few vegan options. Theo Confections are made in small batches with local (Seatlle) ingredients.
Thornton's (http://www.thorntons.co.uk)
UK chocolatier offering both conventional and organic chocolate. Take a peek at their corporate social responsibility info to see their initiatives.
Udo's Choice Bija Omega Truffles (http://www.bijatruffles.com/)
Milk, dark and white organic chocolate truffles that are rich in omaga 3 & 6 fatty acids. US only.
UliMana (http://www.ulimana.com)
Organic vegan raw chocolate brownies, truffles and spreads. Donates 5% of profits to support various nonprofit organizations.
Vital Choice (http://www.vitalchoice.com)
Oddly enough, Vital Choice is primarily a seafood supplier. But they do carry their own label of 80% organic dark chocolate bars, with or without hazelnuts.
Vivani Chocolate (http://www.vivani.de)
German manufacturer of only organic chocolates. Buy online at www.internaturalfoods.com orwww.mothernature.com.
Vosges Haut-Chocolat (http://www.vosgeschocolate.com)
Chicago-based high-end chocolatier embraces green living and manufacturing practices. In addition to conventional offerings, has a line of organic chocolate bars. Though according to their green mission and FAQ, they use as many organic ingredients as possible. Some vegan and kosher offerings too.
Wilderness Family Naturals (http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com)
Raw organic cacao nibs and ground organic chocolate. The ground chocolate product uses a centuries-old process that preserves the health benefits of cacao keeping the cocoa butter intact, sweetened only with natural unprocessed Muscovado made from sugar cane.
World Wide Chocolate (http://www.worldwidechocolate.com)
Both conventional and organic chocolate available with some Fair Trade offerings. Also sells wholesale.
Yachana Jungle Chocolate (http://www.yachanagourmet.com)
All natural, fair trade, vegan cacao nib mixes. Also will sell nibs in bulk to manufacturers. Organic certification in process.

Thanks to Green Promise for some of the list :)



















































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