Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Chocolove's position on child labor?
Our policy states that we will not buy chocolate or ingredients from firms that use or reinforce the use of exploited labor of any sort. Our chocolate supplier does not engage in and does not support forced or exploitative labor practices. Our chocolate supplier has a strong proactive and supportive program for improving the lives of cocoa farmers and their children. We were an early supporter of the World Cocoa Foundation and as members, we contribute more than our required dues. We remain in regular contact with WCF and emphasize the need for continued attention to appropriate labor practices in West Africa.
2. Are Chocolove bars Fair Trade?
We do not sell Fair Trade Chocolate for a number of reasons. Fair Trade is a trademarked name and as such we would need to pay license fees and then buy chocolate from limited Fair Trade sources. Instead, we support the World Cocoa Foundation, which in turn supports all cocoa farmers and endeavors to bring a better quality of life to all cocoa farmers worldwide. For more information about the World Cocoa Foundation please visit: http://www.worldcocoafoundation.org
3. Why don't you sell Equal Exchange?
Equal Exchange is a for profit company that sells Fair Trade certified products. Their products are exclusive to their label.
Our policy states that we will not buy chocolate or ingredients from firms that use or reinforce the use of exploited labor of any sort. Our chocolate supplier does not engage in and does not support forced or exploitative labor practices.
Given that our supplier has a facility on the Ivory Coast, they are in a position to assure this, perhaps more than other firms who do not maintain a facility in the cocoa producing regions. I speak with my supplier about this subject weekly to encourage them to do what they can to help other companies prevent such activities and apply what pressure they can in the region.
We buy chocolate from Belgium. The Belgian's work with the European Cocoa Association. The ECA has met repeatedly with the Ivory Coast ambassadors and the UNICEF program directors for the region in an attempt to convey the policy that they will not support exploited labor and to develop a plan to assess the exact conditions in the West African cocoa producing countries. Once the situation is understood clearly and the reasons for whatever problems may exist are also clearly understood, they will implement programs to correct abuses, if any.
The National Confectioners Association and the Cocoa Research Foundation have initiated a study of the situation as well. They have contacted US-AID, whose mission is to provide technical support to developing countries, and US-AID has agreed to research the matter. US-AID draws experts from ACDI-VOCA for planning and working on some of their projects. I have worked as a VOCA volunteer in several countries. I contacted the West Africa representative of VOCA to offer my assistance. His reply was that he would keep me in mind and he also wanted to know if I speak French (which is one of the common languages of the region). My area of expertise is not labor practices and I do not speak French. If the reports in the newspapers are true, then the issue is not a simple one in terms of how and why it happens or what is the most effective solution.
At Chocolove, we are committed to ensuring the fair and equal rights of all those directly and indirectly affected by our business. I believe it is our responsibility to do our part to see that everyone might live in a safe and happy world.
Thanks for caring.
Timothy Moley
CEO, Owner
