Getting to know the Fair Trade and Certified Organic chocolate companies
Today, there are more fair trade chocolate companies and brands specializing in organic chocolate ingredients than ever before. Whether you’re looking for chocolate gifts for a special occasion or a quick snack on the go, your green shopping trip will be much less complicated today than it was five years ago.
So breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you no longer have to struggle to find out where to buy organic chocolate products. We have compiled a long list of the most popular, ethically sound and highest quality organic chocolate brands and chocolate companies. Check them out, share them with your friends, and most of all, celebrate your choice to live a greener, more socially conscious life.
Alter Echo
Using only certified organic and fair trade certified chocolate, as well as organic sugar, nuts, raisins and fair trade coffee beans, Alter Eco’s chocolates are also free of artificial flavors, sweeteners, chemical additives and emulsifiers.
organic dagoba
Dagoba Organic Chocolate’s belief in chocolate as a sacred food (dagoba means temple in Sanskrit) is made from organic cacao beans from a variety of countries, including the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Peru.
divine chocolate
Organized by farmers, the Divine Chocolate company works with small cocoa farmers, primarily in West Africa, to encourage ethical business practices. The company invests in building schools, digging wells, providing mobile clinics and promoting income-generating projects for women.
Endangered species
Endangered Species Chocolate emphasizes principles such as reverence for life and ethical trade. Their wrappers raise awareness of species that are currently threatened or endangered. Ten percent of all net profits go to support species, habitat and humanity.
equal exchange
By working with three different farmer cooperatives in the Dominican Republic, Equal Exchange’s organic chocolate products are organic and fair trade. The company also produces teas, snacks and coffee.
green and black
Fusing the “green” of organic chocolate production principles with the “black” of decadent living, Green & Black’s is delicious and sustainable. They choose only organic and fair trade chocolate ingredients.
pomegranate chocolate company
For Granada Chocolate Company, it is not enough to buy certified organic cacao beans, they must grow them themselves. Working with cooperatives of organic farmers, they grow the beans and then use solar-powered machines to make the chocolate.
Ithaca Fine Chocolates
At Ithaca Fine Chocolates, the goal is to produce exquisite chocolate (using Swiss chocolatier methods) that is also Fair Trade certified. They also only buy USDA certified organic ingredients. Their wrappers, art cards, and display boxes are also made from recycled paper.
Newman’s Own Organics
Newman’s Own Organics, a company founded by Paul Newman, offers Signature Series Chocolate, which is USDA Certified Organic and made with ingredients grown on Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
seeds of change
Working to keep open-pollinated organic seeds available to farmers and gardeners around the world, Seeds of Change also produces some organic foods and recently developed a line of chocolate made from organically grown cocoa, fruits, nuts and spices from around the world. .
Organic Sweet Earth Chocolates
Based in California, Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates are certified organic by the Organization of Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF).
Organic Terra Nostra
A Vancouver, Canada company, Terra Nostra Organic Chocolate is certified organic and known for its gorgeous flavor and lush finish. The company is also a founding member of Equitable Trade, which strives to encourage ethically traded and organic chocolate farming methods for its suppliers.
ancient plantations
With the Rainforest Alliance seal of approval, Vintage Plantations chocolate is made from Ecuadorian cacao so you know it’s eco-friendly and ethical.
Know where to buy fair trade chocolate
Now that you know which fair trade chocolate brands and organic chocolate companies to look for, you may also need help knowing where to buy organic and fair trade chocolates (some artisans and producers don’t sell their products online). To help you, here are some tools that will help you know where to buy ethical and organic chocolates:
- Global Exchange offers a wide range of Fair Trade certified products, including chocolate, coffee, tea, crafts, clothing, jewelry and more.
- TransFair USA maintains a list of national cafes, restaurants and retailers that sell their Fair Trade certified food products.
- The Chocolate Room offers some organic and fair trade chocolate bars.
- You can find Vintage Plantations fair trade chocolates at World Wide Chocolate online.
Choose organic chocolate to give away
Holidays throughout the year are popular occasions to buy chocolate as a gift. But this year, when shopping in the islands or searching online, keep eco-friendly chocolate gifts in mind, especially when you attend the events here:
Valentine’s Day
Give your partner a box of certified organic chocolates or those that have the fair trade certification seal.
Christmas/Hanukkah
Stock up on Hanukkah gelt that is certified organic and look for advent calendars and Christmas stocking stuffers that are Fair Trade certified.
Mother’s Day
Surprise your mom with a bouquet of chocolates that are healthier for her and that ensured that women around the world were treated with dignity and respect. Fair Trade is the only way to go for this occasion.
Father’s day
If your dad has a sweet tooth, give him a real treat by buying organic chocolates that were produced with cocoa beans grown on farms free of pesticides and fertilizers. These will hit the spot without harming farmers.
Easter
Don’t let the Easter bunny bring your kids chocolates made with child labor! Instead, choose Fair Trade certified chocolates.
Hallowe’en
Send trick-or-treaters home with candy that won’t cause health problems later. Organic chocolates that are toxin-free are a great alternative to conventional treats.
Wedding
If it’s time to plan a spectacular day to celebrate your love, do it with favors that are ethical to add a green and socially conscious touch to your day. Look for the organic and fair trade stamps for your cake too!
