Who doesn’t love chocolate? Valentine’s Day does bring about a good excuse to indulge in its silky smooth goodness. But for most, chocolate is enjoyed as a treat year round. Traditionally, fair-trade is something that adorned the labels of gourmet chocolates. But today, more and more companies are adopting the fair-trade ideology. Fair-trade has a positive connotation, but what exactly does it mean for the consumer?

90% of the cocoa in the world come from small-scale production in third world countries from Ghana to Peru. Fair-trade essentially establishes a system in which the farmers that are producing the cacao crops receive a consistent and adequate wage to maintain a standard of living above the poverty line. In addition to ensuring a living wage, certified fair-trade provides a social premium for the farmers to invest back into their communities for social projects and infrastructure such as building roads, schools, and community health centers. Moreover, this extra money is designated to certain causes based upon an organized co-op of farmers. They can, therefore, decide which projects would be the most beneficial for the farmers themselves and their communities. Enhancing the communities, in turn, enhances the farmers’ ability to produce cacao and support their families. In order to ensure the chocolate you are buying is actually certified, look for the Official Fair Trade Certified logo. This logo means that the production operations have been objectively monitored by an independent representative and deemed to meet expectations.

Fair-trade also aims to encourage sustainable farming and development. Conservation and poverty go hand in hand. If producers are able to dig themselves out of poverty through participating in the fair-trade program, they are more apt to care about conserving the land. Sustainable agriculture also looks to the long term. Pesticides and synthetic fertilizers deplete the soil nutrition, and limit the amount of time crops can be grown. As long as the soil is healthy, crops will be more successful and development in these countries is nourished. Development is also jump-started because the money that fair-trade provides these farmers allows them to send their kids to school. These children receive a higher education, more confidence, and a greater thirst for success, which boosts the economy. Human capital= monetary capital.

Fair-trade certification is based on the following: labor standards, sustainable farming practices, governance, and democratic participation. Then, the companies that buy from fair-trade producers must adhere to well-enforced standards as well. The standards make sure that the producers are paid enough and that 60% of the contract is paid to the farmers in advanced.

What about non fair-trade? Is it really all that bad?   Keeping the product cheap means cheap labor. According to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the conventional cocoa industry has more than 284,000 children working in hazardous conditions on cocoa farms. There is evidence of thousands of children being forced into labor on these farms.  It is basically a slave trade. In order for countries to remain competitive in this large market, bean and labor prices have to be low. Buying fair-trade ensures not only that you are providing a cocoa farmer and a community with a better life, but also that you are eating cocoa that was grown and cultivated in a “fair” setting.

For some delicious fair-trade chocolate, Mother recommends trying Camino bars (tastofcamino.com) which partners farmers in Cuba. Or Alter Eco (www.altereco-usa.com) who use fair-trade cocoa from Bolivia and Ghana. To check out other brands that utilize fair-trade ingredients go to www.fairtrade.org.

Are you wondering what to do with the legumes that you purchased? Are you wondering how to warm up this winter? When I first began purchasing legumes I had a tendency to leave them in the cupboard until moths prompted me to clear them out.

Don’t wait for moths! Legumes are an amazing source of protein when combined with a complimentary grain. The aforementioned recipes use pinto beans for a soup and a dip. May this be a launching point for your journey.

What is the journey? Well the one that we are following here is the shopping, cooking and eating journey. We are affected on every level by the food that we eat. Buying food that is prepared by unhappy hands, or stressed hands, affects us.  When we purchase prepared foods we know very little about this energy.

Preparing food in your own home with happy hands (it is not a perfect world, maybe mostly happy hands), gives love and care to the food that is passed on to you and your family and friends. Food loses vitality over time. It is ideal to prepare the amount that you will need for that meal and that any leftovers are eaten within the following 24 hours.

In his book “The Omnivores Dilemma”, Michael Pollan discusses the challenge for Americans around making food choices. We have no traditions and customs. I liken American eating habits to the way that people drive their cars where we live – all over the road with little regard to rules and lots of regard to self. As Pollan suggests, our eating choices need structure and boundaries. So, if you feel that you are ready, begin to create some structure around your eating and snacking. Each of our bodies is unique so begin to tune in to what your body is telling you, really listen. All of the wisdom is there and available for you to connect.

Here is a thought – allow the food from Nature to have a leading role in your regime.

Stay tuned for more next month from mothering Mother, and for your own internal awareness! Happy Journeying!

Namaste,
Sydney