I emailed Dagoba about being fair trade and this is what they replied with:
These products are Fair Trade Certified:
DAGOBA Conacado Chocolate Bar
DAGOBA Milagros Peruvian Chocolate Tasting Squares
DAGOBA Milagros Peruvian Chocolate Bar
DAGOBA CHOCODROPS
DAGOBA Madagascar Trinitario Tasting Squares
DAGOBA Pacuare Costa Rican Tasting Squares
DAGOBA Ecuador Arriba Bar
DAGOBA Pacuare Costa Rican Chocolate Bar
DAGOBA Cacao Powder
DAGOBA Unsweetened Drinking Chocolate
DAGOBA XOCOLATL Drinking Chocolate
DAGOBA Authentic Drinking Chocolate
The Hershey Company is committed to ensuring that cocoa is grown responsibly. Given the complexity of this issue, we are working with industry to implement broad-based programs to address this. This is a long-term effort that is important to millions of people who depend on cocoa for earning a living.
We have long been an active leader in supporting responsible labor in cocoa farming through programs that improve access to education, incomes, awareness about appropriate labor practices and public health. We are partnering with governments, development organizations, non-profits and other companies to develop these broad-based programs.
Independent research by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture found that the vast majority of farmers in West Africa grow cocoa responsibly. Out of 4,500 farms surveyed, no instances of forced labor or slavery were found, though issues were identified around safe working practices and children working on family farms instead of attending school. The efforts we are supporting with our partners are addressing these areas and ensuring systems are in place to identify and correct any instances of abusive labor.
In 2001, The Hershey Company joined the global cocoa and chocolate industry in signing a congressionally sponsored Protocol to address child labor issues in cocoa farming. As part of the Protocol, we are actively supporting the implementation of a verification system that is driving progress in identifying and remediating unacceptable practices. This is being carried out by the International Cocoa Initiative, with a verification board that includes representatives from cocoa-growing countries and non-governmental organizations.
Other key programs we support include:
- Engaging with our cocoa suppliers and visiting farming regions to build capacity and farmer organizations, and advance quality, income improvement and responsible labor
- Funding the Sustainable Tree Crops Program and the Farmer Field School Program, which help farmers increase productivity, control cocoa pests and disease, diversify their crops and maintain good labor practices. Over 76,000 farmers have participated to date, with measurable improvement to incomes (20-55% increase) and labor practices. By 2010, these programs will have reached over 200,000 farmers
- Funding the ECHOES program to advance access to education in West Africa. Education helps break the cycle of poverty and open new doors of opportunity for thousands of children
- Investing in the $40 million, 5-year "West Africa Cocoa Livelihoods Program", in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and industry peers. The Program is designed to improve farm family incomes, improve productivity, quality, and crop diversification
This is a long term effort with lasting benefits. We remain committed to improving the lives of those who grow cocoa and ensuring that the cocoa in Hershey's products has been grown responsibly. Please visit our website for more information: http://www.thehersheycompany.com/social-responsibility/sustainability.
