Remember Fair Trade

Global Exchange has published a list of frequently asked questions regarding Fair Trade. Click here to view these questions and answers. Click here to go to the Equal Exchange Interfaith Store to purchase Fair Trade products online. As you purchase candy for Easter, keep in mind the impact that your purchase has on those who have been involved in the production of chocolate around the world.

Hershey: Raise the Bar!

From the change.org site:

It has been ten years since major chocolate companies, including Hershey, committed to ending child labor, forced labor and trafficking in their cocoa supply chains, these egregious labor rights abuses continue. A decade later, hundreds of thousands of children continue to labor in hazardous conditions in West Africa, particularly in the Ivory Coast and Ghana, and the US Department of Labor has noted five West African nations whose cocoa may be tainted by forced and/or child labor.

While many chocolate companies have taken steps to trace their cocoa supply chains and implement labor rights standards among their suppliers, Hershey lags behind its competitors in responsibly sourcing its cocoa. Unlike other companies, Hershey has not committed to sourcing cocoa for its main product lines that has been independently certified to comply with international labor rights standards. Tell Hershey to raise the bar and be a leader in sustainable chocolate and shift toward Fairtrade Certified cocoa!

For more information and action ideas, please visit the Raise the Bar Hershey campaign.

Fair Trade

As we travel through Lent, perhaps we can think of ways to support Fair Trade. Go to the Equal Exchange website to find coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, gifts, and other Fair Trade items.