SPA (students promoting awareness) is inviting the Cotter community to be more conscious of our purchases by selling fair trade chocolate.

Every year at Cotter, fair trade chocolate is sold. The brand sold is “Divine” chocolate, amily farmers in Ghana own a 44% stake in the company which produces the bars. Divine claims to be, “the only chocolate company in the world that is Fairtrade and farmer-owned.”

Fair trade products include more than just chocolate, they are diverse, but what they have in common is that they are made to directly benefit the farmers involved in making the product.

“Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries,” the Fairtrade International site says.

“Not just cocoa, but for many commodities, the growers are not paid in a sustainable way. This is due to…. lots of historic problems like colonization, multinationals, slavery, etc. For Divine Chocolate, the farmers co op receives 1/3-1/2 of the price. The individual farmer is paid well, the co op is able to invest in projects like schools, health care, infrastructure,” HP said when asked how fair trade helps farmers.

Not only is Divine chocolate better for farmers, but it is better for your taste buds.  Students have been thoroughly enjoying the chocolate, especially HP’s 4th hour Morality class.

“Melts in my mouth! Makes me feel much better about eating chocolate when I know the money I spent is being used properly. Awesome time of the year to buy and give,” Maren Stewart said.

“I  highly recommend it ” Fiona Flanagan said.

The fair trade chocolate at Cotter is meant to remind us to use our money wisely. With just a little bit of effort, we can make purchases that are better for the global community.

“On a personal note, I decided years ago that if I were rich enough to buy luxuries that I didn’t really need such as coffee, tea and chocolate, I would try to buy Fair Trade when possible. The spending of my money is voting with my dollars for producers that create what I am buying. I am not always successful, but I make an effort at reading labels, researching before purchasing and thanking local businesses for carrying these products,” Cotter teacher Mary Hansel-Parlin said.

Fair trade chocolate and fair trade coffee will be sold in HP’s room until it runs out. Divine chocolate can also be purchased at Bluff Country Co-op.

To find other fair trade products, visit https://www.fairtrade.net/product.