As we reported earlier, October is Fair Trade Month. Erin Gorman, who works at Divine Chocolate, wanted to share some information about their organization and what they’re doing to make trade fair.

-Chris Scott

Happy Halloween! As you plan your costume and celebrations, here’s something delicious to consider: chocolate can help end poverty. Fair Trade chocolate that is. The best news: anyone that eats chocolate can play a part in making change happen.

I have been blessed to have a job that affords me the opportunity to share this good news and great chocolate with people everyday. Divine Chocolate (where I work) is a farmer-owned Fair Trade chocolate company. The 45,000 cocoa farmers that are members of Kuapa Kokoo Farmers’ Cooperative receive a guaranteed Fair Trade price and a social premium that is invested in community projects like schools, clean water, and training to help women start small businesses for additional income. As owners of their own chocolate brand, they receive a share of the profits, a say in the company, and have a seat at the table of global trade.

For the farmers of Kuapa Kokoo and other small-scale farmer cooperatives in the Fair Trade system, the extra money received from Fair Trade enables them to invest in the future – the future of their children and communities. Their investments are not dissimilar to the investments that you and I make. Their aspirations are similar to our own. Fair Trade helps to level the playing field to make it possible to realize those aspirations in a marketplace where farmers and consumers work together to create conditions of respect and dignity.

And it can all start with a bar of chocolate.

There’s no time like now to get started on a chocolate crusade against poverty.

1) Commit to making the chocolate you purchase Fair Trade. Check out TransFair USA’s website to find a list of companies including Divine Chocolate selling Fair Trade chocolate (www.fairtradecertified.org)
2) Ask for Fair Trade chocolate. When you shop, wherever you shop, ask the store to stock Fair Trade chocolate.
3) Raise money with chocolate. Divine Chocolate offers a fundraising program that helps organizations interested in raising funds and promoting Fair Trade. Check it out at www.divinechocolateusa.com
4) Spread the word. Send this post to the chocolate lover in your life.

Good luck with your Halloween costume. Perhaps you could go as a Divine Chocolate bar…

-Erin Gorman