“Happy Halloween” as a Journey
It’s that time of year again: the time of year when everyone eats a ton of crappy, cheap candy and brags about it. And it’s the time of year I become tempted by cynicism. A few years ago, I found out much of our chocolate has a connection to human trafficking in West Africa. It … Continue reading
Hershey Is Now Certifiably Something
Long time readers of this blog know that I’ve been after chocolate companies for years, ever since finding out their supply chains often take advantage of child slave labor on some West African farms. Hershey has been particularly unresponsive to campaigns calling for reform – up until now. After years of staying silent on the … Continue reading
Good Eats, Movie Review, & My Sad Hoodie Story
This week I’m trying something different: a non-injury-induced video blog. (If you get this by email or RSS, you may have to click through to the site to see it). Feedback appreciated! *One clarification: While Boat People SOS is founded by Nguyen Dinh Thang, who is working on the Aramark case in Jordan, I think … Continue reading
Easter and Passover Treats
This year Easter and Passover fall on the same weekend, and families everywhere will be buying their kids chocolate bunnies and making flourless cakes with cocoa powder. In both cases, I hope you’ll consider using chocolate that you know is slave-free. For Christians, tomorrow is Good Friday – a somber day commemorating Christ’s death, in … Continue reading
Good News Friday
I’ve been really excited about this Good News Friday because I missed a week for the holiday and thus had a ton to share. At the same time, I’m running on no sleep. So in fear this post will spiral into a… rerhaldskf… mush of… aweh sadkf fb=… bad spelling and… aldf ehjkef… grammar mistakes… … Continue reading
A Slave-Free Nestlé?
I’m following up Thanksgiving by eating extra chocolate. And that’s because I have some good news, chocolate lovers! Nestlé announced Monday that they will be working with the Fair Labor Association (FLA) to investigate the working conditions of cocoa farms that supply their chocolate. Along with child labor in general, they will examine the allegations … Continue reading
A Slave-Free Halloween (Without Breaking the Bank or Being a Jerk)
I am really excited about not celebrating Halloween this year. Even though it’s tempting to go the DC route and put in a lot of effort to make the perfect Mitt Romney costume or dress up as the Health Care Reform Bill, I will instead be chilling out over some apple cider and enjoying the … Continue reading
Chocolate and Child Slavery: Ten Years Later
In 2001, Congress attempted to force a slave-free label on all chocolate. In response, major chocolate companies lobbied relentlessly and eventually prevented the regulation. On October 1, 2001, they vowed to end child slavery in their supply chain on their own by 2005, and claimed that doing so via a 4-year plan without government interference … Continue reading
Thank Dad for Home
On Mother’s Day I sent out some gift ideas for Mom that would honor her while caring for some of the people who have not had the gift of stable home. Now it’s Dad’s turn, and in the same spirit, here are some gifts he just might love. Oh, and a few are perfect last-minute … Continue reading
Happy Birthday, Amnesty International!
I love social media because it’s not like the 3rd grade. On Twitter, when I ask someone to invite me to their party, they do. Yesterday it was Amnesty International, which is celebrating their 50th anniversary today and having parties around the world right now to celebrate their work. I attended the DC party near … Continue reading
