| ... |
 |
|
| |
Photo: Phil Grout ©2003 |
|
THE LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF FAIR TRADE CHOCOLATE PROJECT
Fair Trade means better lives for cocoa farmers.
In Ghana, 20,000 cocoa farmers have united to form Kuapa Kokoo, a democratically operated cooperative that gives them stronger representation in the cocoa market. The farmers pool their crops to sell directly to international buyers without relying on middlemen. When the cooperative sells its crop to Fair Trade buyers, the farmers receive a fair price. Also, the cooperative receives a Fair Trade premium that is invested in the farming communities—to build wells, fund schools, and provide mobile medical clinics and other benefits.
Kuapa Kokoo has a mission to empower farmers in their efforts to gain a dignified livelihood, to increase women’s participation in all of Kuapa’s activities, and to develop environmentally friendly cultivation of cocoa. The cooperative also owns part of Divine Chocolate, formerly the Day Chocolate Company, which turns their cocoa crop into Divine brand chocolate bars. This means the farmers are directly involved in business decisions made about their cocoa and they’ll share in any of the company’s profits. Divine Chocolate is the first farmer-owned chocolate company in the world.
The LWR Chocolate Project: your role in Fair Trade. Next>
Questions? Email fairtrade@lwr.org to learn more.
