Eat Fair Trade Chocolate & Change the World

Conversation Opener

To the Mayas, cocoa pods symbolized life and fertility and the Aztecs believed that that it had nourishing, fortifying, and even aphrodisiac qualities. When did your love affair with chocolate begin? Would you share a romantic experience where chocolate was involved?

Questions to be Asked After One Glass of Wine

For four decades, advertising has been one of the world’s fastest growing industries. In US, ad expenditures for media and direct mail were $332.19 billion in 2007. It’s no surprise that shopping therefore is a primary cultural activity with Americans spending six hours a week shopping. Teenagers spend more time in malls than anywhere besides school or home. (How Much is Enough?; Alan Thein Durning; 1992).

• What are your shopping habits? What influence has advertising had on you or your family?

Fair Trade refers to products imported to the United States that are certified by the TransFair USA www.transfairusa.org and guarantees the following:

• Fair price: Democratically organized farmer groups receive a guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for certified organic products.
• Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
• Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
• Democratic and transparent organizations: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.
• Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.
• Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and Genetically Modified Organisms are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.

What are your thoughts about the value of fair trade practices and certification? Is there any downside? What experiences have you had with buying fair trade products?

View Video “Dark Side of Chocolate” about child labor on cocoa farms and chocolate companies who support it. http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/fairtrade/MovieScreening.cfm

Americans spend $14 billion a year on chocolate, that’s a lot of buying power. Did you know that over 40 percent of the world’s cocoa, the primary ingredient in chocolate, comes from West African nation of the Ivory Coast. The State Department estimates that over one hundred thousand children in the Ivory Coast’s cocoa industry work under “the worst forms of child labor. Some ten thousand children are victims of human trafficking or enslavement. These child workers labor for long, punishing hours, using dangerous tools and facing frequent exposure to dangerous pesticides as they travel great distances in the grueling heat. Those who labor as slaves must also suffer frequent beatings and other cruel treatment. http://www.pacifica.org/program-guide/op,segment-page/segment_id,297/

• View “Dark Side of Chocolate” from Green America and follow Discussion Guide that comes with it. Join the “Raise the Bar” to influence Hershey’s to buying from cocoa farms that use child labor.  An Earth Scout class at Academy Prep Tampa, a middle school for low income students, organized a school wide Hershey’s Buycott Campaign with posters and petitions before Halloween.

Actions

• Discuss how you can become a shopper who shops in a way that positively impacts humanity and the planet. Then begin to do so.
• Global Exchange has activities and ways to get involved in a Fair Trade campaign. www.globalexchange.org. There are also reports from schools about how kids have become involved. One 4^th grade did a buycott before Easter of Hershey’s Chocolate because of their use of child labor and ran a campaign that influenced other students and parents. http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/chocolateschoolspage.html

For the Global Exchange Chocolate Workbook for kids go to: http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/ChocolateActivityBook.pdf

• Get a copy of Affluenza or Escape From Affluenza, which are one-hour humorous documentaries on the symptoms of and antidotes to the disease of shopping and materialism. View and Discuss at next Gathering. Order a copy from KCTS (800) 937-5387.
• As a group engage in Buy Nothing Day, which falls in November on the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. Activities have included: Credit card cut up (standing in mall with pair of scissors and a sign offering to cut up credit cards for free); Whirl-mart (you as a group drive shopping carts around in a long, inexplicable conga line in a store or mall without ever buying anything). http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd

Organize a “cash mob”. http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/cash-mobs-promote-spending-and-socializing-locally/ At the urging of a local blogger, shoppers staged a cash mob at a Buffalo wine store, a book store in Cleveland and a locally made jewelry and art store in San Diego recently. The aim is to reclaim the fun and spontaneity of flash mobs while supporting local businesses. The spending goal should be no more than $20 a person, although people can of course spend more if they choose.And organizers should give the store owners a heads up, so they aren’t overwhelmed.

Closing Toast

“Action expresses priorities.” Mohandas Gandhi

CHICKEN MOLE MADE WITH DIVINE FAIR TRADE CHOCOLATE

Serves 4

2 halves of free range chicken breast–probably about 8 oz each half

Simmer chicken in water with onion and garlic as shown in previous recipe; drained the water, removed chicken and then cut it up for the mole.

1 cup roasted chopped almonds roasted in oven until slightly brown.

Enough veg oil to cover pan

1/3 c sesame seeds

2 small onions chopped

2 cans 8 oz tomato sauce

About 3 oz of dark Divine Fair Trade chocolate chopped

6 cups chicken stock

1 TBSP of Hot Mama Holy Mole Spice* (produced in Tampa and composed of 25 spices) for 2 cups of stock but at the end I tasted it and thought it was too spicy so added another cup of stock

3 to 4 TBSP Flour

4 TBSP Raisins

Heat large skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 min. add sesame seeds until golden brown and set aside

In large saucepan heat oil over medium heat, add chopped onion and fry until limp and transparent. Add Hot Mama spices and flour until well blended

Add 1 cup of broth and tomato sauce, stir, and continue for another 2-3 minutes until flour absorbed.

Add almonds, chocolate and rest of broth..one cup at time…add salt and cook over moderate heat about 15 minutes until mixture begins to gurgle and thicken.

Add chicken to mole sauce, stir in raisins and cook everything 15minutes until meat is warm, tender and well seasoned with sauce. If preferred, cover chicken and bake it in sauce in 350 oven for about 20 minutes

Serve over rice with green salad.

*If not using Hot Mama Holy Mole Spice purchase red colored mole sauce from most supermarkets and use according to taste.

Smart Consumers Put Their Money Where Their Values Lie

Conversation Opener

Do you agree with Bob Hope who once said:”A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.”
Did you play Monopoly as a kid or adult? If so, were you good at it? What lessons do you believe the game teaches about money and the role it plays in life?

Questions to be Asked after One Glass of Wine:

Faith Communities are involved in the financial aspects of the Smart Consumerism Movement, either as individual congregations or Interfaith coalitions.  Examples include:

• The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility in existence for 40 years, is a coalition of active shareholders that help shape corporate policy on  a host of environmental, social and economic justice concerns through shareholder resolutions for nearly 300 organizations with collective assets totaling over $100 billion.   
• Rev. Ryan Bell in Southern California committed his congregation to withdraw several hundred thousand dollars from its account with Bank of America.  Across the country, dozens of other clergy members and congregations have done the same over the past three years.  The movement has grown to 25 congregations, according to PICO National network, a coalition of congregations involved in social justice.
• What are your thoughts about this information? Are you aware of any actions taken by any of the faith communities in your town?

Questions to be Asked after Two Glasses of Wine:

Large banks today tend to be public companies with stockholders spread all over the globe. The short-term interests of these shareholders are rarely attuned to the well-being of the communities where banks operate.

• Do you agree or disagree with this statement?  Why?

To protest the behavior of big banks, thousands of people took part in Bank Transfer Day , a social media campaign, helping to double the accounts in credit unions in 2011. YES! Magazine http://www.yesmagazine.org/new-economy/a-field-guide-to-closing-your-bank-account.

• Are you aware of locally owned banks or credit unions in your town? What do you know about their customer practices and/or standing as related to community well-being?
• If you are not a customer of these institutions, would you be interested in learning more about them with the possible goal of switching your financial business to them? Why or why not?

ACTIONS:

• If you are not aware of locally owned banks and their practices, research them to compare with the practices of larger banks for your next Dinner Party.

Another financial avenue for smart consumers is state owned banks. Some states may be in financial trouble but not North Dakota, which has consistently boasted large surpluses aided by a state-owned bank that is showing landmark profits.  For 2010 the Bank of North Dakota (BND) reported profits of $62million, setting a record for the 7^th straight year.  The BND’s profits belong to the citizens and are produced without taxation.  BND partners with local banks in providing much-needed credit for local businesses and homeowners.   It also helps with local government funding needs.

Inspired by North Dakota’s example, seventeen states have now introduced bills to form state-owned banks or to study their feasibility.

• Find out if your state is pursuing the formation of a state owned bank and how you might participate in it.
• Design a New Economy Board Gamethat includes the values of smart consumerism and tenets of the New Economy that promotes social equity and the well-being of people and the planet. This game is also mentioned as a Tablescape possibility for the New Economy Dinner Theme.  It suggests a game board that instead of Broadway and Park Place includes spaces like Wind Turbine Farm in North Dakota, Downtown Community Garden, Local Currency Project, etc; Paper Mache player tokens of windmill, child, tree, dollar sign, etc; Chance & Opportunity Cards that build alliances and other ideas for a a Win-Win game strategy instead of Winner Takes All.

RECIPES: Bring a sense of luxury and the color green (as in money) to your menu by including one of the following dishes:

 Oven Roasted Asparagus with Truffle Oil and Parmigiano Reggiano

http://www.mountainmamacooks.com/

• 1 lb asparagus, washed and trimmed
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 2-3 tablespoon truffle oil
• 1/3 of a cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano

Preheat oven to 420 degrees. Line baking sheet with asparagus.  Drizzle with olive oil and pinch of salt and pepper. Toss lighted to coat.  Roast 8 to 10 minues. Drizzle with truffle oil.  Transfer to serving platter and top with shaved parmesan cheese.  Can be made ahead and served at room temperature or hot from oven.

Pasta with white truffle oil, asparagus and goat cheese

Adapted from www.Food52.com

2 servings

1/2 lb Spinach Fettuccine (you can use any pasta, I just like the monochromatic green of this dish)

1 tablespoon olive oil,1

large clove garlic, or 1 small shallot, halved and thinly sliced

1 pound asparagus, cut into 1″ lengths

4 ounces goat cheese

2 tablespoons truffle oil

zest of 1 lemon

salt and pepper

Cook the pasta in salted water until done. Drain (reserving a cup of cooking liquid) and toss with a drizzle of olive oil. Set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a heavy pot over a medium flame. Saute the garlic until just beginning to color, then add the asparagus and saute, covered, until they are bright green and barely tender (just a few minutes). Add half the goat cheese, and enough cooking liquid to moisten, and cook for an additional minute or so until the goat cheese melts.

Add asparagus/goat cheese mixture to the pasta, and drizzle in the truffle oil and lemon zest. Crumble in the remaining goat cheese.  Toss, salt and pepper.  Add more pasta water if needed.

Greenwashing

Information to be shared for this topic includes Six Sins of Greenwashing; TerraChoice Report on Big Box Stores and example of legitimate eco-labeling.

Webecoist offers a profusion of obviously absurd environmental claims. Discuss your favorites.

Bring in magazine, TV or Internet examples of 7 Sins of Greenwashing (listed below) for group discussion

• Sin of Hidden trade-off committed by suggesting a product is green based on an unreasonably narrow set of attributes without attention to other important environmental issues. Paper is not necessarily environmentally preferable just because it comes from a sustainably harvested forest. Other important environmental issues in the paper making process that include energy, greenhouse gas emissions and water and air pollution may be equally or more significant.
• Sin of No Proof committed by an environmental claim that cannot be substantiated by easily accessible supporting info or by reliable third party certification. Common examples are facial or toilet tissue products that claim various percentages of post consumer recycled content without providing any evidence
• Sin of Vagueness committed by every claim that is so poor defined or broad that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood by the consumer. “All natural” is an example. Arsenic, uranium, mercury and formaldehyde are all naturally occurring and poisonous. All natural isn’t necessarily Green.
• Sin of Irrelevance committed by making an environmental claim that may be truthful but is unimportant or unhelpful for consumers seeking environmentally preferable products. CFC free is a common example, since it is a frequent claim despite the fact CFCs are banned by law.
• Sin of Lesser of Two Evils committed by claims that may be true within product category but that risk distracting the consumer from the greater environmental impacts of the category as a whole. Organic cigarettes or fuel efficient sport utility vehicles.
• Fin of Fibbing. Least frequent sin committed by making environmental claims that are simply false. The most common examples are products falsely claiming to be Energy Star certified or registered.
• Sin of “Worshipping False Labels exploits consumer’, demand for 3rd party certification with fake labels or claims of third party endorsements.

Additional Info: 2009 TerraChoice Report on Big Box Retailers in UK, US, Canada, Australian
“Over 98% of the 2,2,19 products surveyed in North America committed at least one of the Sins of Greenwashing.” TerraChoice Report includes:

• More products are making environmental claims. Number of green products increased from 40% in 2007 to 176% per store in 2009. Green Consumer Movement is increasing despite lack of trust in business advertising. 79% increase in number of green products among North American stores visited in both 2007 and 2008/2009.
• Kids–Toys and baby products is an area where Greenwashing is most common. Examples natural alphabet blocks, biodegradable building blocks. All natural cotton toys, 99% natural baby cream, 100% organic baby sheets, degradable plastic diaper bags.
• 98% of green products committed at least one of the Greenwashing Sins. Of 2,219 products claiming to be green in US and Canada, only 25 or less than 2% products were found to be sin-free.

What You as a Consumer Can Do

• Keep supporting greener products.
• Look for and choose products with reliable eco-labels such as: EcoLogo and GreenSeal
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative label–sustainable wood products and paper products from well-managed forests
• In absence of reliable eco label remember 7 sins of Greenwashing and choose product that offers transparency, info and education
• For more info and green shopping tools www.sinsofgreenwashing.org, www.ecolog.org, www.responsiblepurchasing.org., www.buysmartbc.com

Natural VS Certified Organic Foods

Generally, consumers think they want ‘all natural’ products, but are actually looking for certified organic foods. These generally have a higher quality and nutritional value than conventional foods and the ‘natural’ alternatives. However, some organic products are only made with organic ingredients, which means that the product could be made with only 70 percent organic ingredients . Similarly to how the natural foods are manipulated, the remaining 30 percent of ingredients in the product may still be subject to unnatural preparation methods, or contain quantities of non organic substance. Some issues must be resolved concerning deceptive advertising and this modern day movement known as consumerism. USDA organic program Guidelines: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004446

Genetically modified seeds may also be carried through the air to organic fields, thereby destroying the integrity of many organic crops. Info on genetically modified seeds: http://naturalsociety.com/genetically-modified-foods/

Discuss the Following Helpful Hints

• Generally, organic products will contain a percentage of organic content on their label. Look for the highest possible percentage rates while also looking for GMO free foods. Among health concerns, GMO contaminated food is arguably the highest priority to avoid.
• Pay attention to certain food processing methods, like pasteurization, irradiation, or frying.
• Notice the content of sugar or salt in all of these products. Despite being organic, food is still not healthy if it contains huge amounts of sugar or sodium.
• Most oils used in products (canola, sunflower, vegetable) unless otherwise stated, may be genetically modified.
• Avoid soy and corn as they are the most often genetically modified crops used in food.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners like aspartame and suraclose.
• Note the number of ingredients in a product in general. A lesser amount of ingredients usually means it is less processed and usually omits most chemical additives.
• Learn the names of all the harmful ingredients to avoid so you are aware of their presence in foods.