Fairtrade vision: Green & Black’s global stamping plans

Here’s another cherry on the top of Fairtrade Fortnight and good news for the sweet toothed among you. Green & Blacks are soon to take its FAIRTRADE Mark model worldwide, so you’ve got an even better excuse ever to slip a cheeky bar or two into your dietary requirements. Clare Saxon writes.
If there’s one thing a genuine chocoholic knows it’s that the really good stuff is black… and green. Green & Black’s is the luxury organic chocolate brand we all tell ourselves we deserve if we’ve had a tough day in the office or a fallout with the man; in short it’s the kind of treat you wouldn’t even share with your Gran.

Even though Green & Blacks started off working with the FAIRTRADE Mark, with the Maya Gold chocolate bar actually being the first Fairtrade certified product in the UK, Green & Black’s has focused on Soil Association organic certification for the majority of its range. Craig Sams who founded Green & Black’s 18 years ago originally built the business on principles of ethical trading with farmers in Belize as he wanted to support local communities and protect the cocoa farming industry for years to come.

Now in over 30 countries, the top chocolate company has decided to go for Fairtrade certification for all its products by 2011. The original Fairtrade relationship with cocoa farmers in Belize will be built upon with fresh new Fairtrade programmes working with cooperatives in the Dominican Republic.

The MD of Green & Black’s (dream job alert!) Dominic Lowe, suggests that this development reflects the passion and commitment the company has always had, and says, “We buy quality, organic Trinitario cocoa beans from co-operatives in the Dominican Republic, and have done so for 10 years… Moving to Fairtrade globally will be a key milestone in our relationship with farmers that are so fundamental in the making of what we consider to be the best tasting, premium, organic, and soon to be Fairtrade, range of chocolate you can buy.” Mm-mmm, we’re getting cravings already.

The Fairtrade premium from Green & Black’s sales will be used by local farmers to invest in sustainability initiatives which involve improving quality, yields and education surrounding cocoa farming which in turn will increase income for farmers and ensure that the Fairtrade cocoa industry becomes more secure. Farmers will also receive direct communication and work with retailers and companies to give a guaranteed market for long-term sustainability.

One of the world leaders in organic, Fairtrade chocolate, Green & Black’s is set to make an impression and lead the way for all of the other chocolate makers. What a mouth-watering relief – no more ethical dilemmas at the checkout!

Greenandblacksdirect.com