3 simple actions this Fairtrade Fortnight
21 February 2022
This Fairtrade Fortnight, we want you to take 3 simple actions to help change the chocolate industry. Why? Because 1.56 million children work under illegal conditions in chocolate. Worst still, at least 30,000 people are forced to work with no pay. Something's gotta change.
But little has in the past 20 years. The findings of the latest NORC report (a report assessing the progress of reduction in child labour) are alarming, because they show that despite Big Chocolate companies promising to reduce these inequalities, they're still just as pervasive. We believe it's time for everyone to contribute. That means, together, raising more awareness of the issue, and also for mandatory legislation that proactively addresses poverty, child labour’s root cause.
Take a look below to find out what we're doing to address this problem, and how you can get involved.
what we're doing
We’re using our 5 sourcing principles: fully traceable beans, paying a higher price, working with strong farmers, long term contracts and increasing productivity & quality, to help put an end to modern slavery and illegal child labour on cocoa farms in West Africa. But to make all chocolate 100% slave free, we need chocolate companies to include all of these in their relationship with cocoa farmers. And no cherry picking! These 5 are necessary to enable long-term progress and a more sustainable cocoa chain. And every day, we lead by example by showing the impact we're making with these.
paying a higher price
With alignment from Fairtrade, our living income model calculates a living income reference price for cocoa in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. This allows us to understand what price premium to pay to enable farmers to earn a living income. Our premium consist of two parts: a Fairtrade premium and a Tony’s additional premium, which we pay to all the famers in our partner cooperatives. Sounds good, right? Sadly, this only affects about 10,000 of the 2.5 million West African farmers. So we believe that paying a living income should be the norm for all companies, not the exception.
But little has in the past 20 years. The findings of the latest NORC report (a report assessing the progress of reduction in child labour) are alarming, because they show that despite Big Chocolate companies promising to reduce these inequalities, they're still just as pervasive. We believe it's time for everyone to contribute. That means, together, raising more awareness of the issue, and also for mandatory legislation that proactively addresses poverty, child labour’s root cause.
Take a look below to find out what we're doing to address this problem, and how you can get involved.
what we're doing
We’re using our 5 sourcing principles: fully traceable beans, paying a higher price, working with strong farmers, long term contracts and increasing productivity & quality, to help put an end to modern slavery and illegal child labour on cocoa farms in West Africa. But to make all chocolate 100% slave free, we need chocolate companies to include all of these in their relationship with cocoa farmers. And no cherry picking! These 5 are necessary to enable long-term progress and a more sustainable cocoa chain. And every day, we lead by example by showing the impact we're making with these.
paying a higher price
With alignment from Fairtrade, our living income model calculates a living income reference price for cocoa in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. This allows us to understand what price premium to pay to enable farmers to earn a living income. Our premium consist of two parts: a Fairtrade premium and a Tony’s additional premium, which we pay to all the famers in our partner cooperatives. Sounds good, right? Sadly, this only affects about 10,000 of the 2.5 million West African farmers. So we believe that paying a living income should be the norm for all companies, not the exception.
our roadmap
Poverty is the root cause of illegal child labour and modern slavery. How does that look? More than half the world's chocolate is made from cocoa grown in 2 West African countries, Ghana and the Ivory Coast. But the 2.5 million families who farm it earn less than half the global living income reference price. Do the Maths - this doesn't work. The situation is complex and solutions aren't easy. But that's why we've created a simple roadmap to take small and large steps to move towards our goal of making 100% slave free the norm in chocolate. We create awareness, lead by example and inspire others to act. Are you in?
how you can help
As easy as 1, 2, 3..
1. Become our Serious Friend - because we can’t do this alone. We're stronger together and it’s much more fun that way (we think!). With you as our Serious Friend, our mission really becomes OUR mission.
2. Join us on Instagram where we share our latest, crazy choco, regular news updates and demand change through BIG impact campaigns.
2. Watch & share our manifesto video, a simple but powerful call to arms shouting loud for change in the chocolate industry.
Poverty is the root cause of illegal child labour and modern slavery. How does that look? More than half the world's chocolate is made from cocoa grown in 2 West African countries, Ghana and the Ivory Coast. But the 2.5 million families who farm it earn less than half the global living income reference price. Do the Maths - this doesn't work. The situation is complex and solutions aren't easy. But that's why we've created a simple roadmap to take small and large steps to move towards our goal of making 100% slave free the norm in chocolate. We create awareness, lead by example and inspire others to act. Are you in?
how you can help
As easy as 1, 2, 3..
1. Become our Serious Friend - because we can’t do this alone. We're stronger together and it’s much more fun that way (we think!). With you as our Serious Friend, our mission really becomes OUR mission.
2. Join us on Instagram where we share our latest, crazy choco, regular news updates and demand change through BIG impact campaigns.
2. Watch & share our manifesto video, a simple but powerful call to arms shouting loud for change in the chocolate industry.