How and why should the cocoa industry change?
• Consumers are appealing to the US chocolate industry to (1) end abusive child labor in cocoa (2) shift their sourcing towards Fair Trade certified cocoa. • Consumer demand for socially responsible goods, including Fair Trade Certified products, is rising; Businesses whether large or small that incorporate socially responsible products into their product lines can gain the market advantage of promoting a positive image to consumers. How do Fair Trade certified products provide a solution? Fair Trade, denoted by the “Fair Trade Certified” label, is a monitoring and certification process that guarantees a minimum price per pound for cocoa.Fair Trade: • Prohibits forced or abusive child labor. • Enables farmers earn enough to meet their families’ basic needs, such as health care, education, and nutrition, so they can build a better future for their families. • Requires sustainable farming practices, which protect the environment.
