Day 21

Chocolate is considered the food of the Gods by many cultures, and for good reason! From candy bars to drinks and cake to cacao nibs, chocolate is adored across the world. But how often do you think about the ethics around and people who produce this divine treat?

Consumption of unethically-made chocolate is widespread globally, largely due to the low price point — which sadly comes at the expense of people and planet. When deciding between a snack that costs a dollar and one several times more expensive with an unfamiliar certification on the wrapper, the choice might seem obvious. However, an artificially low price tag often comes with hidden consequences. Although you might not know it from the look or taste, supply chains of conventional chocolate contribute to poverty, gender inequality, labor exploitation, and deforestation.

As a consumer, you have immense power in your hands. Consider that every purchase has the potential to create a more socially, economically, and environmentally just planet. That’s why certifications like Fair Trade are so important. They give consumers a way to align purchases with values. You may see a label advertising a product as Fair Trade in the grocery store, but what exactly does that mean, and how much does each purchase actually matter? 

Fair Trade directly opposes a global economic system that prioritizes profit at the expense of human beings and/or the environment. Fair Trade prioritizes producers, communities, and the planet by offering fair wages, safe working conditions, and long-term, protective relationships with workers at every level of production. 

Creating such a world might seem tough, but we can start! A product on the shelf offers little information as to ingredient origins, processes required to extract resources, or overall impact of production. When shopping in-store or online, have you ever stopped to think about how a product is made, who made it, and under what conditions? If these stories were presented at the point of purchase, we would have a more complete understanding of origins, impact, cause, and effect — and thus be better equipped to make informed choices.

It is our responsibility as consumers to advocate for the world we want to see. When our supply chains contain harsh conditions and exploited workers, who may be paid less than $1 per day, a serious shift in demand for ethical products is vital to create a just future.

Some Fair Trade labels enforce a Fair Trade Minimum Price, ensuring prices never shift low enough to prevent workers from being paid. This is critical, as the prices of many crops stray far from what it costs a farmer to grow. The Fair Trade Premium is an additional sum on top of the minimum price that goes into a communal fund. Farmer organizations democratically decide how to use those funds to invest in communities.

Not only do Fair Trade standards support the livelihoods of farmers and societies, they also steward the environment! By encouraging farmers to improve soil and water quality, avoid harmful chemicals, manage waste responsibly, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect biodiversity, Fair Trade upholds environmental protections that are otherwise lacking throughout the industry. These standards recognize how supporting small-scale farmers has a positive impact on our planet. 

As you often can’t meet the people who make the products you buy, third-party certifications and Fair Trade labels help guide us to match our purchases with our values. Labels such as Fair for Life, Fairtrade International, and Fair Trade Federation verify that a product adheres to certain standards. While the specifics vary, all include provisions for fair and transparent prices for farmers, better wages for workers, and premiums to support sustainable production and community development.

There are organizations, like the grassroots movement Fair Trade Campaigns, working tirelessly to expand awareness and availability of Fair Trade products to make ethical consumption easy and accessible for everyone! Companies like today’s partner, Dr. Bronner’s, have made powerful, proactive, proven commitments to support the organizing efforts of smallholder farmers around the world and build expanded fair supply chains. Rather than viewing production as a piecemeal operation, Dr. Bronner’s looks at systems holistically and asks how any item can be made and sold to benefit everyone involved. 

Want to learn more? Check out this infographic from Fair World Project about the principles of Fair Trade. The mission is to educate and advocate for a just global economy where people are treated fairly and with dignity, the environment is respected and nourished, and global commerce promotes sustainable livelihoods and communities. 

Next time you reach for a bar of chocolate, bag of coffee, box of tea, bunch of bananas, bulk quinoa, or many other grocery and home products, take a moment to select one with a Fair Trade certification. Together, we can grow the Fair Trade market and promote sustainable practices that support humanity and our shared Earth, one purchase at a time.

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