
Over 58 million pounds of chocolate will be
purchased for Valentine's Day in the
United States alone. That's a lot of chocolate.
But, far across the world, farmers,
workers and tragically, also children,
live on less than $1 per day, working
- and in places, literally slaving- to
grow and harvest cocoa beans
to make your Valentine chocolates.

Chocolate-making at Portland-based Theo Chocolate
Many also are not organically grown, exposing
them to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
More dangerous, are the grueling conditions,
where children work with machetes and
are beaten if they try to rest or slow down. This is
not a made-up fairy tale, but a real life
horror story for over 55 million children.
via Food Is Power.
of large companies that have not yet made the
switch away from the ironic tragedy behind our
beloved chocolates; that something so lovely and
delicious could have such dreadful secret
behind it. And to my way of seeing, to ignore it is
to be complicit in it. And I can't do that. Child
slavery is something we can hardly even imagine,
yet it is a tragic reality in many countries.

Boxed organic Valentine's Day chocolate confections
of chocolate, and also other commodities, that originate outside of the United States.
So my 'favorite chocolates' have changed.
No more golden ballotins full of Godiva,
absolutely nothing from Nestle's,
and a lot less Hershey's, too.
But now I enjoy my chocolates even more,
knowing it's better all around; for farmers,
workers and the environment.
And especially, that it did not come to me at the
expense of someone's childhood or make me an
unknowing supporter of child slavery and labor.
switching your the brand.
You can use this comprehensive
list to choose from.
from my top 3 favorite chocolate companies;
ones that use the proper fair trade practices to
source their cacao and are produced in the
United States. Most importantly, are also really
well-made and truly delicious chocolates!
They may become your new favorites, too;
let me know, if you give them a try!
Intriguing bars and truffles, brought to you by the San Francisco, California-based global co-operative.
can tour their production facility in Seattle, Washington.

A chopped Theo Chocolate amazing 90% cacao bar.
3. Lulu's Chocolate
Raw, vegan, organic, amazing and wonderfully delicious.Currently producing her chocolate for
wholesale from their Asheville, North Carolina facility.
Her indulgent Chocolate Lounge in Sedona, Arizona,
is Lulu's single retail space.

Lulu Louise's extraordinary raw vegan chocolate Love bar.
And here's 2 lists to help you further.
Chocolate companies to buy from -
and which to ditch altogether:
passionate about doing what's right, about ethics,
organic and ending child trafficking.
Let me know your thoughts on this topic,
and what your favorite chocolates are...
or used to be.
If so, have you found your new favorites yet?
chocolate-filled St. Valentine's Day!