Fairtrade Chocolate Industry Makes a Big Difference in West African Community
In Honour of World Chocolate Day, Clonakilty Chocolate Urges You to Think Before You Buy
CLONAKILTY, Ireland, July 7, 2014 /CNW/ - A Canadian chocolatier has made a big splash in Ireland and Ghana in recent months with her plans to open the first Fairtrade bean-to-bar factory in Ireland.
Allison Roberts, now a resident in Clonakilty, Ireland, started her first chocolate business at age 12 in King City, Ontario, Canada. In 2014 she was awarded a trip to Ghana as a Fairtrade representative and has since been on a mission to draw attention to, and create more business for Fairtrade cooperative farmers in Ghana, West Africa.
''The impact of Fairtrade in these rural communities is remarkable, we're talking about the basics - introduction of water facilities, toilet blocks and schools'' Allison explains. ''Fairtrade also provides education for farmers around crop rotation and safety and the Fairtrade premium nurtures the development of other industries such as Batik or Palm Oil production in these areas of high unemployment. One of the major problems with the chocolate industry is widespread child-slavery,'' she continues ''Fairtrade means farmers get a fair price for their crops, ensuring no child is ever taken from their family or forced to give up education".
Allison has been running her business, Clonakilty Chocolate, for 6 years and is now the process of buying her first set of manufacturing machines with the ultimate goal to reproduce her Irish Factory in Ghana so that Ghanian farmers are able to add value to their products. ''This is all part of a much bigger issue; there is an urgent need for a greater understanding around the impacts of food choices in the West. Large corporate control in the industry means we're often not shown the reality behind the products we consume.'' Look for the Fairtrade mark on all chocolate products to make sure you are supporting the ethical treatment of children and farmers abroad.
For more information and to watch videos from Ireland and Ghana visit www.clonakiltychocolate.com.
You can also get involved by preordering Allison's chocolate on her crowdfunding campaign: www.igg.me/at/clonchocolate (ends July 11, 2015)
SOURCE: Clonakilty Chocolate
Allison Roberts
Chocolatier Clonakilty Chocolate
Ethical Chocolate Handcrafted in Clon
www.clonakiltychocolate.com
085 757 4338
Share this article