Close your eyes and imagine the sweet, creamy taste of chocolate (perhaps infused with peppermint oil or chai essence) melting in your mouth. Now, imagine slowly savoring the chocolate without the nagging guilt of negative environmental and human impacts.
Valentine’s Day is upon us. So yesterday, before heading out to purchase Valentine chocolate, I checked Green America’s score card at www.greenamerica.org. The score card identifies chocolate bar brands that are certified Fair Trade (ensures that farmers and artisans throughout the developing world receive a fair price for their products, have direct involvement in the marketplace, and uphold environmental and labor rights standards). It rates brands from “A” to “F” based on different certification criteria, which is explained on the other side of the card.
Imports of Fair Trade-certified cocoa into the U.S. more than doubled from 2006 to 2009*, which perhaps explains why some brands are readily available in Hannaford super market's health food section. (It was, however, the only place in town I was able to locate any.)
The chocolates are not heart shaped, without cellophane wrapping, and cost a bit more, but knowing the money is buying us a better world, the taste is even sweeter.
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