One of the sure fire “couldn’t think what else to get you” gifts on Valentines day is… chocolates. Valentines day is the third biggest candy/chocolate holiday in the US (Halloween and Easter lead the way in candy sales) but how can we make sure our chocolate isn’t causing unnecessary damage to the Earth and the environment? We do that by purchasing sustainable chocolate. That is chocolate that carries a certification log for Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance or has some other disclaimer on their packaging that the item was produced sustainably and ethically.
USDA Certified Organic
Look for products that are USDA organic approved. This means that the farmers use renewable resources and are conscious of soil errosion and water consumption. Crops are grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and a farm field must be free of these chemicals for at least 3 years before a certified organic crop can be grown on it. Crops are grown without genetic engineering, buying organic is the only way to be sure food you are buying is not GM produce.
Fair Trade Certified
Check your product to see that it carries a Fair Trade Certified logo. Carrying this logo means that the farmers who provided the crops for the end product received a fair price for their product.Fair trade promducts promote sustainability.
Rainforest Alliance
A Rainforest Alliance certification means that the product is produced with: less water pollution, less soil erosion, reduced threats to the environment and human health, wildlife is protected, less waste, less water used, more efficient farm management and improved conditions for for farm workers.
Sustainable packaging options
As with any product check for product packaging sustainability. Is the chocolate excessively packaged? Look for chocolate in paper and foil rather than plastic wrap, the paper and foil can be recycled easier than the thin film wrappers. Is the packaging made from recycled content?
One of the best sustainable chocolate producers out there is Green and Black’s Organic Chocolate. They have been organic since 1991 and fair trade since 1994. Their Maya Gold brand was to earn the UK’s
first Fair Trade mark. They are Organic, 100% fair trade and their product tastes divine! Right now you can get a coupon for $1 off their Green & Black Organic Peanut Bar, just visit their website to print the coupon and you can save a few pennies, grab your loved one a Valentines gift, and lower your global footprint all at once!
