Topic: fair-trade

I Was Horrified To Learn That Our Halloween Candy Is Made By Child Slaves

I Was Horrified To Learn That Our Halloween Candy Is Made By Child Slaves

In two weeks, millions of kids (and adults–because let’s be honest, we love our treats too) will make their way through local neighborhoods racking up handfuls of Milky Ways, Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Baby Ruths and dozens of other chocolate pieces. All of which is pure fun, or so I thought, until I learned recently that this very candy is often made possible by child slaves in Africa. More »

The Downside of Trading With Joe: (Un)Ethical Vegetables

The Downside of Trading With Joe: (Un)Ethical Vegetables

I’ve always been dubious of Trader Joe’s: There’s way too much packaging for anybody’s good, and while I know I should probably just take my bargains and run, there’s just something about ultra-cheap produce that makes me suspicious. While, for the most part, their (bagged) kale and (shrink-wrapped) tomatoes are probably as nutritious as the stuff down the street, it turns out that this bargain does come with a caveat: It turns out Trader Joe is treating his farmers about as well as the environment. Like several other grocery chains, Trader Joe’s recently refused to sign a Fair Food agreement with a Florida farm worker coalition that would increase the cost of tomatoes by one cent per pound, and raise workers’ wages by nearly 150%. More »

Link Like: Random Stuff We Dug on the Web This Week

Link Like: Random Stuff We Dug on the Web This Week

50% Off Organic, Fair-Trade Women’s Clothing From Fashion & Earth – Plus free shipping, and 5% of profits go to environmental charities. Limited-time offer, so shop now. (via The Alternative Consumer)

Is There Child Slavery In Your Chocolate? – An unappetizing, but very important subject. Shame on you, Hershey company. (via The Huffington Post)

7 Foods You Didn’t Know Contained High-Fructose Corn Syrup – Read this before your next meal. (via EcoSalon)

5 Places You Can Legally Smoke Weed Today – Well, almost legally. So don’t call us if you get arrested. (via GOOD) More »