Yeah great idea, love the concept, but lets be real here. Who other then a very small 15 or so % of the American population can afford to buy fair trade, high priced candy to give to as many kids that would be coming to your door, if lets say, you live in the city like me? It would cost me over $300.00 to get enough candy to give out to as many kids I give out to every year... If I had $300.00 bucks, I wouldn't be spending it on candy, I would be giving to the bill companies so I can keep my running water, lights and fresh food in my fridge.

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We really wanted to get fair trade chocolate to hand out, but the prices...for the fair trade globes--$5.50 for 5oz (20 pieces; at this price, each child could get 1 ball of chocolate). Fair trade bars started at $1.60 each at the grocer and we have no idea how many kids are in the neighborhood. At this site [http://shop.equalexchange.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=18611], it's $175 for 8.8lbs (plus shipping).

At these prices, I could give out bags of fair trade bird friendly shade grown organic coffee.

With some better planning next year, I hope to find a better solution, as this year we missed out. Maybe I'll get the 8+lbs of the organic chocolate minis or decide that the fair trade globes are worth the give-away price or one chocolate ball is fine for each trick or treater.

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I like both the fair trade chocolate idea and the fruits, but have lived in places where parents are warned not to let their kids have anything that is not individually sealed for fear of tampering. Suggestions?

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Do realize that the fair trade trademark on an item must meet the highest qualifications. There are many other items, some mentioned below if you scroll down, or you can even google a search yourself. I don't know much about The Sundance Catalog, but you can check with a company and find out the exact percentage that goes to the artisan. But look at it this way: A real pearl ring that was absolutely beautiful that costs only $4, do you really think it was acquired fairly? Yes there's a point made here, but just because somebody sees 2 different prices that are way off for the same item, and doesn't research what fair trade means, doesn't mean we should destroy an amazing organization that does a ton of good. It's like a purse: You can buy one brand new for $5 somewhere. Then later find it made fair trade for $165. I know this one well because I sew, and I've made purses that I see in stores for that price. But to get paid just $2/hr for doing the same work, that's what I'd have to charge for making it. There's the fair trade price, and there's the corrupt wall-mart price. Yeah, somebody could just rip you right off, but not all do. And Sundance at least gives jobs to other people to put together a magazine with photos, to collect the items, and to ship & handle them etc. Consider this. & if you care still but can't afford it, shop at Goodwill.

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The Divine Chocolate website is incorrect... won't load.
Correct site address follows:
http://www.divinechocolate.com/siteselect.aspx

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It is a nice idea but I honestly question what percentage the middle men are getting. I am not a Starbucks supporter however when I accompany my friend there, I see all kinds of goods being marketed to support third world countries. I do not believe a bulk of the funds go to these people. Case in point. I have a friend from India, he returns once a year and comes back bearing gifts and trinkets. On one trip he returned with a gorgeous ring. It was silver with a beautiful pearl set into the band. This exact ring was featured in a Sundance Catalog that I had. The Sundance Catalog founded by Robert Redford had this ring at $120.00. My friend paid $4.00. Where is this money going and please don't tell me incidentals. I have a hard time swallowing such exorbitant prices and no, I do not believe these poor people see even half of this money. Oxfam to me makes sense, you can purchase chickens or goats for people in third world countries. For some reason even livestock is cheaper than some of the items listed by Starbucks and Sundance???

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For years my treat has been roasted peanuts in the shell, offered in a witch's hat......"so are you brave enough to reach in and take a handful". I'll hear kids saying as they approach the door, "Come on. This is the house with the peanuts!"

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My late wife and I used to hand out apples at Halloween. We would put one of the name and address stickers we received from various charities on each apple so parents would know where they came from, and would be assured of their children's safety.

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I also wrote about fair trade chocolate (http://ecohearth.com/eco-blogs/guest-blog/948-cocoa-make-it-fair-trade.html). Please consider the farmers and the economies of developing nations when you purchase chocolate! By the way, Equal Exchange fair trade/organic bars are simply divine.

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We have gotten passes from our local (indoor) swimming pool to pass out instead of candy for the last several years - the pool offers discounted passes for Halloween and the kids really love them.

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