If you have been following this blog for awhile, you probably know that I love Fair Trade products. You may even know the story of how I learned more about Fair Trade first hand by visiting a Fair Trade pepper farm in Mexico and getting to attend a Fair Trade workers meeting. The bottom line is that I love that shopping Fair Trade products means that I am making a tangible difference in the lives of others and at the same time, I am getting what I consider to be a higher quality product for myself. These Fair Trade chocolate bands I will share with you today are the perfect example of how, doing good can certainly taste good! These twelve Fair Trade Chocolate Companies make products you won’t want to miss for everything from everyday eating to exquisite treats.
Fair Trade Certified did provide me with samples from these Fair Trade Chocolate Companies in the hopes that I would share them with my readers. I was under no obligation and the opinions expressed are my own. #FairTradeBox
What does Fair Trade Certified mean?
Before I tell you all about the delicious Fair Trade Chocolate Companies, I just want to give you a brief run down of exactly what Fair Trade Certified means. As fairtradecertified.org says, “From production to purchase, Fair Trade is a model of sustainable, ethical trade that puts people and planet first.” It really is all about farming practices that are better for the earth and the farmers, as well as social programs that ensure the farm workers are being treated well and compensated fairly. What does Fair Trade Certified mean? It means that the product is certified to have met the standards set for sustainable practices for the environment and workers. Fair Trade Certified means responsible shopping.
As a lover of the environment, I love knowing that Fair Trade Certified standards work to keep the planet healthy for generations to come by prohibiting the most harmful chemicals and taking measures to protect natural resources.
If you want a snapshot look at what Fair Trade Certified can mean to the life of the workers, here is the story of Mariana del Jesus Mendoza. She is the matriarch of an old cocoa-farming family and one of the founding members of Fair Trade cocoa cooperative Fortaleza del Valle in Ecuador.
“In April 2016, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Mariana’s home leaving coastal Ecuador in shambles. Fortunately, Mariana and her fellow cocoa farmers had earmarked a portion of the Community Development Fund (extra income generated every time we purchase Fair Trade chocolate) for natural disaster relief. They used this program to help the entire community get back on its feet. Homes were rebuilt, cocoa trees replanted. Hope was restored.”
13 Fair Trade Chocolate Companies You Will Love
By choosing fair trade chocolate, consumers can help support these important initiatives and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable chocolate industry. IN addition, these chocolate companies make some of the best quality chocolate. You can taste the difference!
1. barkTHINs
@barkthins
barkthins.com
Assorted Varieties
Thin slivers of chocolate packed with fun ingredients like pretzels, almonds and coconut. Snacking never tasted so good.
2. Chuao Chocolatier
@chuaochocolatier
chuaochocolatier.com
Chuao Moon Bark
Organic Raspberry Rose Chocolate Bar
Radiant raspberries are sugared with rose petals in organic dark chocolate. It’s love at first bite.
3. Guittard Chocolate Company
@guittardchocolate
guittard.com
Akoma Semisweet Chocolate Chips
Bold cocoa notes add richness to any cookie or cake. I also love to add them to milk in a pan to make some quick and delicious hot chocolate.
4. Marich Chocolates
@marichchocolates
marich.com
Milk Chocolate Cherries & Dark Chocolate Salted Caramels
Sweet, ripe cherries and buttery caramels celebrate their delicious flavor under decadent chocolate. Warning: These may disappear quickly. I am wondering where mine went right now.
5. Rogers’ Chocolates
@rogerschocolates1885
rogerschocolates.com
Assorted Chocolate Bars
I tried the Honeycomb in milk chocolate. It was masterfully crafted by one of Canada’s premiere chocolatiers and it was something that I may need to try over and over because, yum!
6. UnReal
@unreal.snacks
getunreal.com
Assorted Nut Butter Cups
The other day I was hungry and heading out the door and I grabbed a quick UNREAL dark chocolate almond butter cup before I hit the carpool line and I was just thinking quick snack but it was a mouthful of delicious wonderful, relaxing, happy-making flavor. Maybe I should go have another right now!
7. Vosges Haut-Chocolat
@vosgeshautchocolate
vosgeschocolate.com
Matcha Green Tea & Spirulina Super Dark Chocolate Bar
Wild Ophelia Cold Brew Chocolate Coffee Bites
Experience globally-inspired flavor pairings in two delectable creations. No passport required. By total coincidence, I didn’t even realize these two chocolates had the same maker, these were the first to disappear from my Fair Trade box. And man, they were good.
8. Berra Bites
@berrabites
berrabites.com
Mixed Berry and Dark Chocolate Bites
All natural pureed fruit pieces covered in smooth dark chocolate. You will love the contrast of the sweet fruit with the slight bitterness of the dark chocolate.
9. Sheila G’s Thindulgent Chocolate Bark
@browniebrittle
browniebrittle.com
Thindulgent Chocolate Bark
The founder of Brownie Brittle LLC, Sheila G, has launched a product extension you will love- Thindulgent Chocolate Bark! This snacking chocolate is delish! Thicker than a sliver, thinner than a candy bar, every bit deliver satisfying flavors and textures.
10. Little Secrets
@littlesecretscro
https://sharelittlesecrets.com/
Dark Chocolate Pieces
I love these small dark chocolate balls covered in crunchy, all natural shells.
11. On The Rocks Chocolate
@ontherockschocolate
https://kopperschocolate.com/
On the Rocks Chocolate are available in 4 tantalizing flavors. The Moscow Mule Cordials are dark chocolate cordials boldly rolled with a spicy mix of sugar, ginger and mint and a vodka flavored (alcohol-free) center.
12. TCHO
@tchocholate
https://tcho.com/
Assorted Varieties
TCHO works closely with cocoa farmers to develop unique flavor profiles in ways that benefit global communities. They has some really amazing flavor combinations that are sure to shock and excite!
If those 12 Fair Trade chocolate brands don’t satiate your appetite, you can also try one of these Fair Trade Chocolate Companies:
- Alter Eco
- SunSpire
- Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate
- Chocolove
- Cisse
- Droga Chocolates
- Equal Exchange
- Five North Chocolate
- Lake Champlain Chocolates
- Salazon Chocolate Company
I hope you enjoy trying these Fair Trade Chocolate Brands as much as I do. I’d love to hear which Fair Trade Chocolate Companies are your favorites. Leave a comment below or tag me at @familyfocusblog with hashtag #FairTradeCertified.
Conclusion
Benefits of Fair Trade chocolate include:
- Fair Wages: Ensures that cocoa farmers receive fair compensation for their work, helping them to maintain a decent standard of living.
- No Child Labor: Promotes practices that prohibit child labor, which is a significant issue in the cocoa industry, especially in West Africa.
- Poverty Reduction: Provides a more stable and often higher income for cocoa farmers, which can lift them out of poverty.
- Community Investment: Fair trade premiums are often reinvested in community projects such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements.
- Empowerment of Farmers: Supports small-scale farmers and cooperatives, giving them a stronger voice and more control over their production and pricing.
- Gender Equality: Encourages practices that support gender equality and the empowerment of women in farming communities.
- Sustainable Farming Practices: Promotes environmentally friendly farming methods that help preserve the ecosystem and biodiversity.
- Organic Farming: Often encourages organic farming practices, reducing the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals.
- Transparency: Provides consumers with information about the ethical sourcing of their chocolate, helping them make more informed choices.
- Support for Ethical Brands: Encourages companies to adopt fair trade practices, leading to broader industry change.
If love Fair Trade chocolates, you may also want to check out these Fair Trade foods.
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