NPEW 2018

Release: 1% for the Planet Recognizes Fairtrade’s Strong Environmental Credentials

Fairtrade America is proud to be named a nonprofit partner of1% for the Planet, a global alliance of more than 1,200 member companies in 40 countries that contribute 1% of their revenues to environmental causes.

"We believe deeply that nonprofits, like Fairtrade America,play a critical role in solving the many challenges facing our planet,” says Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “Our core work is to grow the corporate support that enables these nonprofits to accomplish even more."

With this partnership, Fairtrade America business partners are now eligible to count Fairtrade fees and donations toward their 1% commitment. Sales of products certified by Fairtrade America contribute to a healthier planet by building climate friendly, sustainable supply chains.

The internationally-agreed Fairtrade Standards require certified producers to commit to:

• Sustainable soil and water management for long-term soil fertility and watershed health.
• Pest management practices that minimize and ensure safe use of agrochemicals.
• Waste management techniques that protect humans and the local environment.
• Biodiversity protection through buffer zones to shield sensitive land and primary forest.
• A prohibition on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Beyond strong environmental standards, Fairtrade supports sustainable production that supports communities via the Fairtrade Premium, Minimum Price and trade terms that benefit all. An additional premium for organic production encourages Fairtrade producers to transition to more sustainable production.

Fairtrade certified farmers and workers frequently cite climate change as one of the greatest challenges that they face. Climate change leads to food insecurity and income loss due to unpredictable weather patterns, reduced soil fertility, an increase in pests and diseases, and more extreme weather events.

While small-scale farmers and workers in rural communities have contributed the least to climate change they feel the brunt of a changing climate. For Fairtrade producers, climate change is not a computer model or political controversy – it’s every-day life. Fairtrade farmers are increasingly investing their Fairtrade Premium funds in adaptation projects. In addition, Fairtrade private sector and NGO partners are funding various adaptation and mitigation projects to improve community resilience.

“Fairtrade certification is important to us because it shows our consumers that we care about the treatment of every member of the supply chain, as well as the industry’s overall effect on our planet,” said Prashant Mehta, Founder ofConscious Step. Socks from Conscious Step are made of Fairtrade organic cotton. The company donates to four additional non-profits as part of their 1% for the Planet membership - Oceana, Trees for the Future, Conservation International, and Water.Org.

For more information on certifying your products as Fairtrade and extending your support to 1% for the Planet, contactquestions@FairtradeAmerica.org.

Release: Fairtrade Part of Balanced Diet New Research Shows

The way food is produced and traded is an important contributor to purchase decisions for many consumers. Changing attitudes, new perspectives on fair trade and ethical certifications highlighted in new research from GlobeScan and Fairtrade America.

Interest in environmental labels continues to surge as consumers demand more from companies, according to new research from GlobeScan and Fairtrade America. Awareness of organic and non-GMO products show strong growth while fair trade continues to figure heavily into purchase decisions.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FROM GLOBESCAN & FAIRTRADE AMERICA’S RESEARCH.

“The study demonstrates a shift in the US consumer with current environmental and political issues in the US top of mind, but for many consumers, the Fairtrade label remains an important value-add,” said James Morris, US Director, GlobeScan. “Fairtrade has a strong halo effect for the majority of consumers.”

Clear, transparent labeling was shown to be an important tool to help consumers purchase in line with their values. Using a fair trade label on products has a halo effect with 81% of consumers saying they would view a brand they already buy more favorably if it carried a fair trade label. This effect was especially pronounced in cities where the number topped 85%.

“Fairtrade is the right step in what our company is trying to do and provide. We want to be part of the solution to growing inequality. We focus on organic, small-farmers and making sure they’re appropriately paid,” said Max Darcey, Manager, Quality & Sustainability at Navitas Organics. “As we’ve grown, we found that we needed to have more transparency in our supply chains and the authenticity behind that.”

Urban Consumers and Aspirationals Driving Awareness

Overall, urban areas rank higher in recognition of the FAIRTRADE label with more than 40% of consumers reporting that they had seen the label regularly. Just over a quarter of all US consumers were familiar with the FAIRTRADE label.

The research also noted a strong interest in social and environmental issues in cities and college towns. According to the study, 57 percent of respondents in college towns and 39 percent in cities support social and environmental causes, versus 29 percent for the general population. Consumers in cities were most likely to recommend fair trade products to their peers.

Many of these consumers rank as ‘Aspirationals’, a consumer segment defined ‘by their love of shopping, desire for responsible consumption, and their trust in brands to act in the best interest of society’,according to research conducted by BBMG and GlobeScan in 2016. Aspirationals strive to support brands that have a purpose and make a positive difference in society.

Other important findings in GlobeScan & Fairtrade America’s research include:

• Over half of consumers who are familiar with the FAIRTRADE Mark trust it.
• Nearly 75% of American consumers who have seen a fair trade label would recommend Fairtrade products to a friend.
• Consumers are as likely to purchase fair trade products as those from local farmers.

“Equality, fairness in trade, good labor conditions and clean, simple ingredients rank high for consumers. And these are all issues that Fairtrade addresses with our focus on small-scale farmers, workers’ rights and better choices for a healthy planet,” said Bryan Lew, Chief Operating Officer at Fairtrade America.

Click here to download an Executive Summary from GlobeScan & Fairtrade America’s research.

Release: Divine Chocolate showcases new pack design and new products at 2018 Natural Products Expo West

Divine Chocolate will exhibit this year at the annual Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA on March 9-11, 2018. Find Divine Chocolate in Hall E at Booth #4974.

New -3.5 oz Bar Pack Design

In the first quarter of 2018, Divine Chocolate rolled out its new pack design which highlights a new ‘Owned by Cocoa Farmers’ seal. At Divine, the cocoa farmers who grow the finest quality cocoa for the chocolate benefit not only from the Fairtrade premium on the sale of their beans, but they also co-own the company and receive the largest share of Divine's profits, giving farmers a stronger opportunity to build sustainable livelihoods. The new design taps into consumer trends which have accelerated in the last five years including a demand for transparency in ingredients, caring about the nutrition of indulgent treats, and the product’s sustainability impact.

New -Baking Chocolate

A new baking collection of 5.3oz bars taps into a new baking trend: bakers and foodies looking for high quality ingredients to use when making treats at home. The collection includes: Semi-sweet Chocolate (55% cocoa); Bittersweet Chocolate (70% Cocoa); and Unsweetened Chocolate (100% cocoa). 12/5.3 oz units per case. SRP $3.99-4.99.

New -Luxe Bar Collection

Divine Chocolate also adds four new ‘Luxe Bars’ named for their luxury appeal – each one is hand decorated with visible ingredients, making them more premium than Divine’s 3.5oz bars. Varieties include: Milk & White Chocolate Swirled with Toffee Pieces; 70 % Dark Chocolate with Chili & Toffee Pieces; 70% Dark Chocolate with Mint Crisp; and 70% Dark Chocolate with Orange.

12/3.2 oz units per case. $4.99 SRP.

New -Seasonal items

Divine introduces its new Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Thins to complement the existing Dark Chocolate Mint Thins available for the Christmas season. 12/7.0 oz units per case. $6.99 SRP. Divine also introduces its Hollow Easter Egg, available in both Milk Chocolate and 70% Dark Chocolate. 6/1.9 oz units per case. $4.49 SRP.

About Divine Chocolate

Divine Chocolate is a mission-driven business. Its mission is to grow a successful global farmer-owned chocolate company using the amazing power of chocolate to delight and engage, and bring people together to create dignified trading relations, thereby empowering producers and consumers.

Divine Chocolate products are made with Fairtrade cocoa that has been shade grown and hand harvested by family farmers in Ghana, giving each bar of chocolate an exceptionally rich taste. Divine Chocolate products are also made with 100% pure cocoa butter, and there are no GMOs, no artificial flavors, and no palm oil or soy.

Divine Chocolate is the only Fairtrade chocolate company that is also co-owned by cocoa farmers. Members of Kuapa Kokoo, a co-operative of over 85,000 cocoa farmers in Ghana, benefit not only from the Fairtrade premium on the sale of their beans, but also receive the largest share (44%) of Divine’s distributable profits giving the farmers more economic stability as well as the increased influence in the cocoa industry that company ownership brings.

Divine Chocolate products are certified by Fairtrade America, a member of Fairtrade International, the world’s most recognized and trusted ethical certification system. Globally, the Fairtrade International system works with more than 1.65 million farmers and workers across 74 countries. The farmers and workers that Fairtrade serves have a strong hand in how the system is run through three regional producer networks and seats on the Fairtrade International Board and Standards Committee.

Divine Chocolate is also a Certified B Corp. Certified B Corporations are leaders of a global movement of people using business as a force for good. They meet high standards of overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability and aspire to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. There are more than 2,000 Certified B Corporations in over 130 industries and 50 countries with 1 unifying goal – to redefine success in business.

For more information: contact Liz Miller, Senior Marketing Manager at Liz@DivineChocolateUSA.com or 202-332-8913 or visit our website at DivineChocolate.com