“A chocolate bar can have significant environmental impacts on tropical ecosystems and social impacts on farmers and laborers.” – Goodguide
Monday is Valentines. I am not a big fan of the holiday and think it is a pressure-filled holiday. I do however like the excuse to indulge in chocolate. I have a sweet tooth with a capital “SWEE”.
I have written in the past about the challenge choosing chocolate. Cocoa production has many distressing impacts. Child slave labour, exploitation, trafficking are still practiced particularly in West Africa. Heavy use of pesticides in cocoa crops, unfair market prices and appalling wages for pickers are also concerns. Low grade, inexpensive chocolate bars contain chemicals and preservatives too. These factors are troubling but they do not have to take away the chocolate craving. Here are a few shopping suggestions…
- Supporting local chocolatiers use quality natural ingredients to make delicious treats.
- Organic Certification is for cocoa that is grown without toxic chemicals. It does not take into consideration fair wages, environmental practices, working conditions or safety.
- Look for one or more recognized certification: Fair for Life, Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance.
Another helpful shopping resource is the GoodGuide. They recently published ratings for chocolate and boxed candy. Now consumers can type in the brand they enjoy and find a rating based on nutritional value (RRR), environmental scores (50% product-level, 50% company), and social scores (certification programs).
Thanks to GoodGuide, I discovered my favourite Green & Blacks 85% chocolate bar scored a 6.1 and the Lindt chocolate snowman that appeared in our children’s Christmas stockings received a 3.1 score.
With all the chocolate bars and candy choices in stores, it is easier to purchase sweets produced in a way that is good for the environment and the communities it was grown. Something to consider next time you are shopping for something for your sweetheart this Monday.
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A good reason to shop local and ask the chocolatier about the ingredients. This is helpful information.
I love it: Valentines information with a social conscience. Thanks for this.
LC – Thanks, feel free to suggest your favourite local chocolatiers.
Ashely – Glad you liked it.
Great info! I love Valentines, but in the future I will encourage my sweetie to buy ethical chocolates.
I hope some of those companies make chocolate covered cherries , hmmm!
Thanks for writing about this. By the time I thought about covering this topic on my blog, it was too late!
For anyone living in Toronto, check out the great folks at Chocosol (http://chocosol.posterous.com/). They have developed strong and socially just trading relationships with cocoa producers, they stone-grind the beans using human power (staff and volunteers take turns pedalling stationery bikes), the other ingredients are sourced within 150 km of the city, and deliveries are made by bike. And of course, the chocolate is really, really good!!
This is fantastic information Andrea. I will definitely check this out next time we are visiting Toronto. Have you done a post about this?
No, but I ought to, you’re right! I’d really like to pay Chocosol a visit, perhaps cycle a few laps on their stationery bike to help grind those cocoa beans, take some pictures, then do a post! Stay tuned…
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