organic chocolates

Whata € ™ S the big deal on fair trade chocolate?

Why fair trade chocolate is important

Few of us like chocolate, which explains its relative popularity and the growing interest in fair trade chocolate. As a confection the figures in the most important holidays, and how to deal thata € ™ s to their young and round years, its effect on the planet and the communities that produce is important. As consumers gain an understanding of the serious social and environmental problems associated with conventionally grown chocolate, Fair Trade Certified and organic chocolate is gaining a loyal audience.

But what is the fair trade chocolate, what why is it important? Slavery child, unfair working conditions, and unsustainable agricultural practices play in the concerns of a growing group of chocolate lovers.

Slavery child

Fair trade chocolate is definitely a social problem, especially in regions like Africa, where Most of the worldâ ™ € s chocolate is grown. According to Global Exchange, the U.S. State Department recently reported that 15,000 children 9 to 12 years were working as slave laborers on plantations growing chocolate, cotton and coffee. Besides the children slaves, as many as 284,000 children work on cocoa farms with their parents because their parents can not afford school.

Working conditions on these farms can be very dangerous. Tasks dangerous as working with machetes and application of toxic chemicals like insecticides and pesticides without protective equipment are common. These children also work long hours in strenuous tasks with little food. And surprisingly, despite these children work in cocoa, for years, have never tasted chocolate.

Unfair pricing

Children still sandy € ™ t the only ones who suffer, no fair trade certification. Farmers adults see a disproportionately small amount of profit from their work and are forced to work under unfair and unsafe conditions. Companies not chocolate Fair Trade have refused to establish stable and sufficient prices for cocoa, and as a result, prices fluctuate and are often well below production costs.

According to Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International, just a penny a typical chocolate bar go to the farmer. This requires farmers cocoa to take additional industries to support their families, livestock or alternative crops.

Environmentally unsustainable

To make matters worse, most farmers feel forced to use chemicals to control pests and stimulate the growth of its chocolates. These pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers contaminate soil and water and farmers themselves sick, feeding the poverty problem.

Moreover, non-organic chocolate often requires that a farmer clearing trees in your area. This makes them vulnerable to loss of topsoil, reduction water retention, increased rates of floods, and other environmental conditions that trap more devastating cycle of poverty.

What sustainable chocolate seems

So what is Fair Trade Certified chocolate and how chocolate producers can benefit from organic different farming methods?

Direct trade

Fair trade chocolate is one of the ways to help farmers out of poverty. Using a system of direct trade, farmers sign contracts with buyers of cocoa, which ensures a minimum price for their beans. This help farmers to maintain a stable income that is sustainable to keep their Familya € ™ s needs.

Just the working conditions

When companies sell fair trade chocolate, cocoa farmers are prohibited from use of € for Children ', whether they are slaves to their own child or € offspring "of working on the farm until 18 years of age (although some work is permitted by blood relatives if it does not interfere with schooling). This ensures that the community ™ € s children are getting a good education and not work in harsh conditions and unsafe.

Community development

Besides the aforementioned benefits associated with chocolate fair trade, farmers often work with buyers to carry out community development projects. Some of the money made by farmers, is common and reinvesting in the community to establish scholarship programs, training in the cultivation of organic chocolate, or the provision of health care programs.

Environmental sustainability

Finally, farmers are able to sell to companies in fair trade chocolate are also encouraged and / or required to use environmentally sensitive farming methods. In general, are reluctant to logging of virgin forests and other ecosystems high value and the use or handling of pesticides and fertilizers. Organic chocolate is often also made with certified organic dairy products, which ensures that is free of hormones commonly given to cattle to stimulate milk production.

Types of Fair Trade and Certification S Organic Chocolate

Today, there are several well known systems Fairtrade certified used around the world to ensure you receive a product that is verified by others to be better for farmers and better for the planet.

TransFair USA

TransFair USA is a fair trade certification ensures a consistent production of chocolate products fair trade at all times. A nonprofit organization, this group to encourage fair prices, fair labor conditions, direct trade agreements, community development projects, chocolate sustainable farming methods, and other socially and environmentally conscious practices. They operate under the umbrella of Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International organization.

Rainforest Alliance

Understanding forests in the tropics are being cut down to grow the chocolate, the founders of the certification program Rainforest Alliance, established a set of rules to protect these valuable ecological areas. Farmers must comply with the rules of preservation, conservation soil and water, humane working conditions, integrated crop management, waste management, and so on.

USDA Organic Certificates

The label USDA organic certification is another sign of sustainably-produced chocolate. Certified organic chocolate should be cultivated without pesticides and fertilizers, and usually shade, which means that doesn € ™ t require the felling of valuable trees.

Chocolate Fair Trade events

Fair trade chocolate and organically grown equals sustainable chocolates. Buy when you can to support farmers and a healthier planet. In the meantime, consider these interesting facts organic chocolate and fair trade.

Producer countries organic cocoa and fair trade certification

• Belize
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Cameroon
• Columbia
• Costa Rica
• The Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Honduras
• India
• Ivory Coast
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Peru

Quantity of food through chocolate America

The average American consumes about 12 pounds of chocolate each year.

Number of certified organic chocolate sold in the U.S.

Sales of fair trade and organic chocolate are gaining market share, with 2006 growth in this market at about 49 percent.

homeade organic chocolates with kathryn budig filmed for the elephant journal

Horizon Organic Reduced Fat Milk, Chocolate, 8-Ounce Aseptic Cartons (Pack of 18) List Price: $23.70 Sale Price: $16.50 You save: $7.20 (30%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Horizon Organic Low fat Chocolate Milk provides a great-tasting and easy way to add calcium to your family's diet. They are available in low fat half gallons and quarts. Our milk is as good for you as it is delicious because it's produced with no antibiotics, no added growth hormones and no dangerous pesticides. Our cows eat only organic feed and have access to clean water, fresh air, organic pasture and exercise. Features Case of 18, 8-ounce cartons of chocolate aseptic organic milk (144 total ounces) Made with organic grade a reduced fat milk and organic evaporated cane juice Produced without the use of antibiotics, added growth hormones or pesticides Shelf stable; requires no refrigeration until after opening

Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Chocolate Powder, Cacao Power, Mayan Superfood, 16-Ounce Pouch (Pack of 2) List Price: $37.24 Sale Price: $25.56 You save: $11.68 (31%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description King of cacao. Raw chocolate - the new red wine. Cacao is increasingly being consumed for its nutritive and health enhancing properties as it has been in many cultures for thousands of years. Cocoa beans (theobroma cacao/raw chocolate) are the source for all chocolate and cocoa products. Our certified organic, raw cacao is the premium criollo variety. Theobroma literally means food of the goods - so called from the goodness of the seeds and Mexican named the pounded seeds chocolate cacao is increasingly being consumed for its nutritive and health-enhancing properties, as it has been in many cultures for thousands of years. Cacao contains many chemicals that enhance physician and mental well-being, including an incredibly rich supply of magnesium. Other essential minerals present in Cacao are calcium, zinc, iron, copper and potassium. Cacao also contains more antioxidant flavonoids than red wine, green tea and blueberries. Navitas Naturals vegan cacao nibs are unprocessed, certified organic, raw, peeled cacao beans. Our premium cacao beans come directly from the farmers who cultivate them. These farmers grow their crops on their own land, using sustainable methods that have been used for generations. These cacao beans are guaranteed to be free of heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides. USDA organic. Certified organic by Skal International. Imported form Peru. Packed in the USA. Features Pack of 2 (total 32 oz) Made from pure, 100% natural cacao powder Certified organic, vegan; a good source of minerals such as magnesium, iron, copper, and calcium Mix into chocolate ice cream, smoothies, or yogurt; an antioxidant-rich supplement with antiseptic, diuretic and soothing properties Navitas Naturals products come directly from the farmers who cultivate them and are free of heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides

Organic Valley, Lowfat Chocolate Milk (1% Milkfat), 8-Ounce Aseptic Cartons (Pack of 12) List Price: $18.96 Sale Price: $15.99 You save: $2.97 (16%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Ultra-pasteurization and revolutionary aseptic packaging give this delicious and nutritious beverage its incomparable versatility and freshness. Because they don’t require refrigeration, Shelf-Stable Single-Serve low fat 1% milks strike the optimal balance between nutrition and convenience. No w reformulated with less sugar, our low fat chocolate milk is the lowest calorie, and lowest sugar and lowest fat organic chocolate single serve milk available. Features Case of twelve, 8- ounce carton (total of 96 ounces) Aseptic single serve shelf stable Organic lowfat chocolate milk Made with organic lowfat (1%) milk

Green & Black's Organic Chocolate Bar, 70% Cocoa, 3.5-Ounce Bars (Pack of 10) List Price: $42.38 Sale Price: $28.66 You save: $13.72 (32%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description 70% Cocoa content - A combination of cocoa liquor and cocoa butter. The latter is there to coat each individual cocoa and sugar particle, allowing the chocolate to melt beautifully and cleanly in the mouth, revealing intense, bittersweet chocolate aromas. We select only the finest organic ingredients and take extra time and care to bring out the intense flavor that has become our trademark. Suitable for vegetarians & vegans. Made on a peanut free site. USDA organic. Green & Black's is certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Made in Italy. Features Pack of 10, 3.5-ounce bars (total of 35 ounces) Combination of cocoa liquor and cocoa butter Suitable for vegetarians & vegans USDA organic Made on a peanut free site

Horizon Organic Reduced Fat Milk, Chocolate, 8-Ounce Aseptic Cartons (Pack of 12) List Price: $18.98 Sale Price: $15.13 You save: $3.85 (20%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Horizon Organic Low fat Chocolate Milk provides a great-tasting and easy way to add calcium to your family's diet. They are available in low fat half gallons and quarts. Our milk is as good for you as it is delicious because it's produced with no antibiotics, no added growth hormones and no dangerous pesticides. Our cows eat only organic feed and have access to clean water, fresh air, organic pasture and exercise. Features Case of 12, 8-ounce cartons of chocolate organic milk (96 total ounces) Made with organic grade a reduced fat milk and organic evaporated cane juice Produced without the use of antibiotics, added growth hormones or pesticides Shelf stable; requires no refrigeration until after opening

Pure Bar Organic Chocolate Brownie, Raw Fruit & Nut Bar, 1.7-Ounce Bars (Pack of 12) List Price: $20.99 Sale Price: $20.77 You save: $0.22 (1%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Our Chocolate Brownie Bar is made with fair trade organic, virgin cocoa meeting the highest quality standards on the market. We combine this with California Deglet Noor dates which provide fiber, potassium, and magnesium – nutrients that respectively, can help stabilize blood sugar, maintain healthy blood pressure, and build strong bones. Features Case of 12, 1.7-ounce individually wrapped bars (total of 20.4 ounces) Agave-sweetened vegan snack made with dates, almonds, walnuts, and cocoa No preservatives, trans fats, or cholesterol; free of refined sugar, gluten, soy, and dairy Naturally moist and chewy living food bar high in antioxidants and Omega-3s Wholesome, organic treat produced in Holland, Michigan

Earths Best Kidz Organic 2% Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk, 8 Ounce (Pack of 27) List Price: $36.72 Sale Price: $30.00 You save: $6.72 (18%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Earth’s Best Organic 2% Reduced Fat Milk is from cows raised in accordance with the strictest USDA organic standards, free from added growth hormones, antibiotics or potentially harmful pesticides. Our milk is an excellent source of calcium and fortified with vitamins A & D. Features Pack of 27, 8-ounce each (total of 216) Free from added growth hormones, antibiotics or potentially harmful pesticides Excellent source of calcium and fortified with vitamins A and D

Santa Cruz Organic Syrup, Chocolate, 15.5-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6) List Price: $28.44 Sale Price: $21.78 You save: $6.66 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description We're Green - To Our Core! We produce the world's finest organic products made from the highest quality ingredients available. But making yummy organic products isn't enough – we also work hard to raise awareness about the benefits of organic agriculture, and we run our business with a commitment to education and ecology. How? Each year we buy enough renewable energy to produce our entire line of products, and we are an official Green-E certified business. We've even reduced the waste that we create, recycling an amazing 96% of our refuse, which earned us a prestigious WRAP award. Features Pack of six, 15.5-ounces per bottle (total of 93 ounces) Zero trans fat USDA organic

Raw Organic Food Bar, Chocolate Coconut, 1.76-Ounce Bars(Pack of 12) List Price: $19.04 Sale Price: $14.65 You save: $4.39 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Raw Organic Bar-Chocolate Coconut, 1.76-Ounce Units (Pack of 12) gives the taste of tropical coconut blended with mouth-watering delicious antioxidant rich non-dairy dark chocolate. This chocolate bar is organic certified. Features Pack of twelve, 1.76-ounces each (total of 21.12 ounces) Alkaline Forming Nutritional Food Bars That Are Completely Natural No trans fat and no preservatives added Made according to the standards of organic certification

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