Choose Chocolate That Doesn't Enslave

Each month I've decided to post on one way to make a difference right where you are. Since the holidays are upon us, the increase of chocolate sales are imminent. Much of the world's cocoa production is harvested by child laborers in regions of Africa and Central/South America. You can choose to buy fair trade chocolate and make a difference in fighting child slavery.

Here's some tangible steps to take action:

1. Learn more! Here are some articles and links to inform you about the fight for fair trade chocolate.
http://www.oxfam.org.nz/whatwedo.asp?s1=What%20we%20do&s2=Issues%20we%20work%20on&s3=Fair%20Trade&s4=About%20Fair%20Trade&s5=Fair%20Trade%20Chocolate
http://www.stopthetraffik.org/chocolatecampaign/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2042474.stm
http://vision.ucsd.edu/~kbranson/stopchocolateslavery/main.html

2. Buy Fair Trade! Give it as a holiday gift with a letter explaining why you chose fair trade!
http://www.stopthetraffik.org/chocolateDownloads/chocolate_guide_uk.pdf
http://www.typetive.com/candyblog/category/fairtrade
http://www.transfairusa.org/content/certification/licensees2.php#cocoa

3. Write your favorite chocolate company asking for fair trade products!

4. Your Voice Counts! Sign these petitions:
Sign the Trade Aid Anti-Slavery Petitionhttp://www.oxfam.org.nz/whatwedo.asp?s1=What%20we%20do&s2=Issues%20we%20work%20on&s3=Fair%20Trade&s4=Take%20action&s5=slavery

Petition to Make Fair Trade in the Pacific
http://www.mtfpacific.org/take-action

5. Spread the Word During Christmastime!
Stop the Traffik's Chocolate Campaign has several resources for the holidays including stickers, powerpoints, and posters. Sharing what you have learned with just one friend or your community brings needed awareness!

Here is a link to Fair Trade Standards for Cocoa:
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/FLOStandardsCocoa.pdf