Life is Sweet™ Chocolates

Certified Organic by Scientific Certification Systems and produced with the least environmental impact. All growers and handlers must meet rigorous performance criteria in the following areas before being awarded the Organic certification:

• sustainable farming techniques
• prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals
• ecosystem protection
• conserve biodiversity
• maintain environmental quality

Organic refers to a sustainable system of agriculture popularized in the U.S. by farmer and publisher J. I. Rodale in 1946. Organic farming seeks to work with nature, not against it, by utilizing agricultural techniques that build soil fertility and protect the surrounding air, water and wildlife. It emphasizes building healthy, rich soil to produce plants that are high in nutritional value and resistant to pests and diseases.

Certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a USDA accredited agency that verifies our growers adhere to the standards prescribed by the National Organic Program (NOP). The SCS Certification Program is designed to certify every step of the organic chain: from the land on which the product is grown; to the producers growing the product; to the post-harvest facilities preparing the product; to the processing and handling facilities transforming the product. This includes the use of sustainable farming techniques that rely on natural systems of production, pest management, and weed and fungal control, such as: cover cropping, composting, beneficial insect release, crop rotation, and prohibited use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It also prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals commonly found in industrial pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The purpose of organic agriculture is to enrich the soil, minimize damage to ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and maintain environmental quality.

What are the standards of Organic Certified USDA?

• sustainable farming techniques
• prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals
• ecosystem protection
• conserve biodiversity
• maintain environmental quality

For more information, please visit http://www.scscertified.com and http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm.

Fair Trade Certified™ by TransFair USA, which guarantees workers in developing nations receive:

• Fair wages and fair & safe labor practices
• Education, childcare, paid maternity and vacation
• Complying with rigorous environmental standards
• Eliminating hazardous agrochemicals, working towards organic practices
• Democratically elected joint body of workers that invest profits into community devlopment
• Development projects including scholarships, micro-lending, adult literacy, and community gardens

Fair Trade Certified™ is a growing, international movement which ensures that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means a fair price for their goods (one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a living income), long-term contracts which provide real security; and for many, support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales. (Oxfam: Make Trade Fair)

History
The fair trade movement originated in Europe over 40 years ago with a mission to create sustainable incomes for poor and disadvantaged producers by:

• providing a living wage
• maintaining stable, long-term trade agreements and by
• improving working conditions through education, campaigning and creating access to outside markets.

Today the majority of these producers are workers in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Unfortunately free trade agreements, such as NAFTA, APEC and WTO, have created industrial opportunities in these developing regions but ignored actions to protect workers or the environment. For example, in India millions have been employed as piece-work garment workers for below minimum wage; this is accepted since the market for their traditional crafts has been all but eliminated.

Additionally, the market for fair trade has enjoyed great success in Europe, where fair trade goods are available in over 2,700 world stores and 43,000 supermarkets. There are four multi-national fair trade organizations that work together to help spread and advocate the fair trade movement: IFAT, EFTA, NEWS! and FLO International. In 2001, the European Fair Trade Association surveyed 18 countries and found that they work with over 100 importing organizations with the four largest having annual turnover of over €10 million a year ($12.3 million), while the total net retail value is estimated to be over €92 million a year (European Fair Trade Association).

This trend is making its way over to the US slowly but surely. American consumers are increasingly concerned about the origin and the environmental and social footprint of their purchases. This “Fair Trade” movement is growing similar to the Organic industry, which began as a fringe movement but is now a global industry worth $23B (2002, Organic Monitor). In 2000, fair trade sales in North America totaled $100 million. This figure almost doubled to $180m within two years, with the majority of revenues from agricultural products: coffee, tea chocolate and fruit. The fair trade handicrafts market generated revenues of $13.8m in 2002. It would not be surprising if this trend, which has come to the US slowly and steadily, grows exponentially in the future as a result of education and awareness.