Fair Trade Chocolate for Halloween a Real Treat

My daughter and I read a picture book recently about Halloween. We both laughed at the appalled look on the children’s faces when they received a box of raisins and a toothbrush from one of their conscientious neighbors. Sorry, but to kids, that definitely qualifies as a trick.

Let’s face it–most kids want candy at Halloween. This year, why not satisfy their sweet tooth, while making a contribution to the lives of others by distributing fair trade certified chocolates? It’s kind of like combining candy-giving with making a Unicef donation in one shot–something fun for the kids, something good for the world.

Check out the chocolate gold coins and chocolate eggs, made from cocoa grown by farmers in Ghana. Your purchase of these chocolate bars, made of organic cocoa and sugar, and supports small farm families in the Dominican Republic and Paraguay.

Yes, these goodies are pricier than the bulk packaged candies at the supermarket, but you get what you pay for. And in this case the payoff is big: happy kids, fairly paid farmers, and, be honest, you’re going to eat a few yourself!

Find Fair Trade Certified chocolate here:
• Divine Chocolate
• Global Exchange
• Dagoba Chocolate

By Terri Hall-Jackson, contributing writer, Care 2

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Reggie T.

4:14PM PST on Feb 13, 2012

Interesting read on Fair Trade chocolate.

send a green star

Mel M.

8:39AM PST on Feb 9, 2012

Thanks for the article

ii q.

5:33PM PST on Feb 2, 2012

Cathy N.

8:23PM PDT on Oct 30, 2011

~I don't believe I've purchased candy from the Dominican Republic or Paraguay~I'll look for these items in the future~I agree with others that it would be costly to purchase enough of this candy to go around~

Michele W.

10:54AM PDT on Oct 2, 2011

I agree with some of the other comments here, fair trade chocolate is a great idea, but very expensive to buy.

Janice P.

9:54AM PDT on Oct 14, 2010

Since I left my former comment, I telephoned and e-mailed 2 "fair trade" companies, which produce chocolate. I asked them to tell me what the hourly wage and what the benefits are for the average worker in their factories, who actually produce their chocolate. They have refused to give that information to me. I suspect that "fair trade" does not mean "fair wage".

Please try to find out the salaries and benefits paid to workers in these industries before you make a purchase. You may not be supporting what you thnik you are.

6:20PM PDT on Oct 10, 2010

Nice idea - that fair trade chocolate. But, I can't even afford it for myself, much less to give it out on Halloween to children. Are you unaware there is a near depression in this country? $55 for a tub of miniatures is way beyond what I could - or would - pay. On top of that, kids don't want miniature candy bars. They at least want the "fun size", if not a full bar.

I just looked at a fair trade site a few days ago, while seeking some chocolate. They have a candy bar that, with shipping and handling is $10. I have a very wealthy friend, who is not even willing to pay that for herself. Those prices have gotten WAY out of hand. Moreover, It is VERY hard for me to believe that the workers are getting paid most of those kinds of profits. I believe it is going to the rich people, who own theose companies. It's always the little worker, who takes the beating. If the workers were nmaking that kind of money, they would no longer be impoverished and living in 3rd world nations.

Fair trade has to be a fair and rational price to the buyer, as well as to the seller. I'll have to stick with the regular fare from the grocery store until my income increases A LOT.

Please consider the overall economy of this country and the desperate situation of many of our citizens before you recommend such high-priced luxuries in the future.

Kathy T.

4:31PM PDT on Oct 8, 2010

Fair trade chocolate tastes very good; however, it is too expensive to give out to children who are trick or treating. It is a special treat and should be used for a special occasion like your birthday. or Christmas

Bon L.

4:47AM PDT on Oct 8, 2010

Thanks for the article.

Mark S.

6:20AM PDT on Apr 3, 2010

Fair Trade chocolate costs more precisely because the farmers are getting a fair price. Free trade is supposed to promote efficiency, but what it actually does it hand power to those who are most efficient - the big international companies - to squeeze money out of smaller operations who are less efficient - such as cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast. The squeeze on the farmers results in the drop of price, but also means that many farmers resort to slave labour to make a reasonable profit. Fair trade costs more, because nobody's taking any dubious short cuts.