Fair Trade Chocolate in Australia

Posted on April 20, 2011 by admin

I can say I was a little horrified today when I read a story on the ABC website about fair trade chocolate. Only 3% of the world’s chocolate is fair trade. What does this mean exactly? It means that 97% of the world’s chocolate was more than likely , in part, produced by forced labour, child labour or trafficked labour.

What would fix it? A 2 cent increase in the price of a $10 chocolate bar. The story goes on with a remark from a former Ivory Coast Prime Minister explaining that the chocolate companies aren’t paying fair prices. Yet again, big business is screwing over the little guy to make a profit. It sounds very “supermarket wars on bread & milk”.

Why is it that it’s small business who seem to be the most ethically aware and the large ones, who have the most impact, are leaving a path of destruction in their path.

Ditch the cheap & dodgy chocolate eggs this Easter and buy some fair trade chocolate instead. Our favourite brands are:-

Read the full story at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/20/3196325.htm

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Everyday Shea affordable body care

Posted on March 5, 2011 by admin

While fair trade products are becoming easier to find in Australia, they’re not always affordable because of the nature of the manufacturing process and the transport and business connections required to get them in to the country.

We were pleasantly pleased to stumble upon a great range of quality & affordable body care products from Everyday Shea.

The range includes Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash & Body Lotion. Available in three scents; unscented, lavender & vanilla mint, each bottle is a massive 950ml in size and is only $19.95. The Everyday Shea range are certified by IMO and help to keep African women gainfully employed in safe work conditions.

Everyday Shea is available to buy online from Shop Naturally along with a large range of stainless steel water bottles and travel mugs made by responsible manufacturers in China, eco friendly shopping bags and over 1,400 different safe & heathly personal care & homewares products.

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Eco Chix handbags & accessories

Posted on March 1, 2011 by admin

We stumbled upon some funky recycled and fair trade bags today. Check out EcoChix, who make coin purses, clutch purses, handbags and toys out of recycled wrappers, including M&M wrappers! If you want something truly unique, check them out.

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Calling all fair trade coffee lovers

Posted on January 6, 2011 by admin

We recently stumbled upon a little gem of a brand of fair trade coffee, Icon Fair Trading. Their adventure travel company, Icon Adventures, travel to the birthplace of Mercato Coffee and bring it back with them. Prices start at $32 per kilo, but smaller quantities are available too.

The coffee is grown without pesticides or artificial fertilisers ans is sourced through the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange ensuring a fair price for farmers.

Visit the Icon Fair Trading website for more details.

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Certified organic & fair trade chocolate bar

Posted on December 20, 2010 by admin

And when we say bar, we don’t mean 250g of chocolatey goodness wrapped in foil, we mean a restaurant where people sit and eat and drink and be merry (and apparently, dance!) Coco Loco in Northcote Victoria is THE place to go if you love chocolate, the planet and the welfare of those working in the third world countries where most of the world’s chocolate comes from.

Everything on the menu, from the truffles, the coffee, the crepes and more are not only fair trade, but they’re all organic too. This is truly ‘Guilt Free’ chocolate!

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