There are many hurdles facing the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector such as: widespread poverty, deforestation, gender inequality, child labor and forced labor.

• Low incomes and volatile pricing. This prevents farmers from investing in and developing their farms, continuing the cycle of poverty. Low incomes also fuel deforestation.
• Gender inequality. Women cocoa farmers in some producer countries often have limited access to resources and are discriminated against.
• Child labor has increased. According to the US Department of Labor, more than 1.5 million children aged five to 17 have been found to be working on cocoa farms in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.
• Power in the chocolate industry is highly concentrated. That means cocoa farmers have little influence on the price they are paid for what they grow.
• The climate crisis is affecting cocoa farms. Unpredictable weather patterns, along with diseases and pests, are impacting cocoa production.
• Deforestation due to limited control over pricing and the need for cocoa. The industry's imbalance exacerbates environmental and economic strains for farmers.
 

It is estimated that there are 1,560,000 children involved in illegal farming activities, including:

• Clearing land for cocoa plantations
• Applying hazardous pesticides without protective gear.
• Harvesting and splitting cocoa pods with dangerous tools.
• Working excessively long hours, limiting access to education and rest

Yes – of course it is. But for children, ‘helping out’ and ‘working’ are two different things.
Child labor in cocoa production refers to activities that are hazardous, exploitative, and detrimental to the physical, mental, or moral well-being of children
At Feastables, we don’t think this is okay or should be allowed. Enough is enough. We are committed to eradicating child labor, starting with the cocoa farms that we work with.

Unlike other large chocolate companies, we are committed to doing three things differently:

1. Fairtrade Certified Cocoa

• Feastables is committed to sourcing 100% of our cocoa on Fairtrade terms.
• Feastables is one of the largest Fairtrade chocolate bar brands in the US.

2. Paying a Living Income

Feastables pays farmers and their families the Living Income Reference Price, or the market price (whichever is higher) always.

We pay the Living Income Reference Price because stopping child labor starts with addressing its root cause – poverty.

Feastables is the first U.S. chocolate bar company to make this commitment!

3. Child Labor Prevention

Feastables works exclusively with cocoa farmers and cooperatives that actively implement Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation Systems (CLMRS) to help identify, address, and prevent child labor.

The Fairtrade Living Income Reference Price, which is the price farmers need to be paid to enable them to earn a living income and run healthy farms.

This price is set by Fairtrade International in close consultation with farming communities. You can see learn more about what it includes and how it varies from region to region here.

CLMRS helps farming co-ops to identify instances of child labor, find alternative solutions and prevent the use of child labor by raising awareness. The cooperatives roll out the system to all their members, moving beyond the farmers we work with to try and reach the entire community.

Fairtrade (www.fairtrade.net) is the most recognized and trusted sustainability label working to make trade fairer for the people who grow our food.
Fairtrade works towards fairer terms of trade for farmers and workers, safe working conditions, and environmental protection. This approach prioritizes the lives of farmers and workers in supply chains and partners with them as active participants in the decision-making process. 

• Globally, 71% of shoppers recognize the Fairtrade Mark of them, 86% trust it.
• Fairtrade works with over 2 million farmers and workers in 70 countries around the world.
• Over the past decade, farming organizations have received over $2 billion in Fairtrade Premium. That’s money they get to invest in community and business development projects as they see fit.

Fairtrade Puts Farmers First

Fairtrade supports farmers and workers through a unique pricing model, sets rigorous standards across the supply chain, and fosters strong producer communities through local and regional networks.

There are over 470,000 Fairtrade cocoa farmers, representing almost a quarter of all Fairtrade farmers and workers. Their lives are improved in many ways:

• Decent livelihoods. Fairtrade’s living income strategy is pushing for a livelihood that covers cocoa farmers’ business costs and enough for basic human rights, such as nutritious food and education for their children. Fairtrade cocoa farmers have the buffer of the Fairtrade Minimum Price for what they grow, for when market prices drop. Farmers also receive the Fairtrade Premium, which they choose how to invest, for example, replacing old cocoa trees.
• Protecting young people. Fairtrade supports certified cocoa cooperatives in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana to strengthen prevention and remediation of child labor and forced labor.
• Sourcing. Fairtrade works with key industry players so that they can source large volumes of sustainably produced cocoa. This means more benefits for farmers.
• Gender equity. This recognizes that greater opportunities for women benefit everyone. Fairtrade Africa’s Women’s School of Leadership has helped young women become leaders in cocoa cooperatives, where management roles are typically held by men.
• Stronger together. By supporting smallholder farmers to join together into cooperatives and associations, farmers can negotiate better terms of trade and reach more markets.
• Climate resilience. Through specific programs and standards criteria, Fairtrade works with farmers to adapt to unpredictable weather patterns, mitigate environmental risks, and build a more resilient cocoa industry.