Feastables' Ethical Shift in Cocoa Sourcing
In a groundbreaking move for the chocolate industry, Feastables, the company founded by popular creator MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), has announced that it now sources 100% of its cocoa from Fairtrade certified cooperatives. This decision underscores the brand's commitment to ethical sourcing practices aimed at dismantling the grim realities of child labor prevalent in cocoa farming regions, particularly in West Africa.
The Importance of Fairtrade Certification
Fairtrade certification is a crucial standard that ensures that cocoa production adheres to rigorous economic, social, and environmental sustainability criteria. By choosing Fairtrade, Feastables not only guarantees that the farmers receive fair compensation but also strides towards establishing better living conditions for cocoa farmers and their families who often make less than a dollar per day.
According to MrBeast, approximately six million people globally depend on cocoa farming for their livelihood, with many facing severe economic challenges. He stated, "The status-quo of the big chocolate sector means nearly half of all children living in cocoa communities in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire are engaged in illegal child labor. We created Feastables, and we're using our extensive fan network to challenge how business is done in cacao-growing regions worldwide. We aim to create chocolate that people can afford while ensuring farmers receive fair pay, allowing children to focus on school instead of work."
The Challenges Farmers Face
Farmers in West Africa, despite being instrumental to the multi-billion-dollar chocolate industry, remain amongst the poorest. Issues such as climate change, crop disease, age-old cocoa trees, and price fluctuations put their livelihoods at risk. Amanda Archila, Executive Director of Fairtrade America, emphasizes that partners like Feastables are pioneering a shift in the industry.
"By aligning with Fairtrade, Feastables not only helps farmers achieve a sustainable income but also sets a precedent throughout the industry. Their commitment to paying the Fairtrade Living Income Reference Price is essential in lifting farmers out of poverty and ensuring they can invest in sustainable practices," Archila stated.
A Comprehensive Ethical Sourcing Strategy
Feastables aims to address the root causes of child labor, notably poverty, by implementing a detailed Ethical Sourcing Strategy that involves:
- - Sourcing exclusively Fairtrade cocoa
- - Ensuring farmers receive a Fairtrade Living Income consistently to provide a sustainable livelihood
- - Collaborating solely with farms that enforce child labor monitoring systems aimed at identifying, addressing, and preventing child labor.
These initiatives are bolstered by Feastables’ investment in local communities, focusing on education for children and ensuring that farmers gain access to the resources they need to improve their farming practices sustainably, devoid of child labor.
Consumer Awareness and Future Packaging
Fans of Feastables can expect to see the new Fairtrade certified packaging in stores by the summer of 2025. As consumers increasingly seek certified ethical products, Feastables encourages them to check for Fairtrade labeling before purchasing.
About Fairtrade America
Fairtrade America focuses on creating a more equitable trading system, connecting businesses and consumers with farmers and workers to foster growth and sustainability in trade. Operating under a non-profit model, they have over 30 years of experience promoting fair trading practices across 70 countries.
About Feastables
Founded in 2022 by MrBeast, Feastables is dedicated to making impactful changes in the chocolate industry. By partnering with cocoa farmers in West Africa, the company aims to remove children from labor situations and integrate them into educational environments. Based in Chicago, Feastables is part of the broader movement towards ethical consumerism, recognizing the power of chocolate lovers to drive social change.
Through the alignment with Fairtrade, Feastables is not just transforming their business model; they are pioneering a new pathway for ethical chocolate production that could inspire others in the industry to follow suit. Their initiative exemplifies how agricultural practices can be transformed when ethical considerations and personal accountability come together, benefiting people and the planet alike.