I’m the type of person who could eat chocolate every day for every meal and probably still not get tired of it. But despite my almost concerning adoration for chocolate, it wasn’t until recently that I actually began to think about the many economic, social, and political systems that go into the creation of one of my favorite foods.
My first experience with contemplating the consequences of my chocolate consumption occurred when I became vegan a few years ago. Unable to indulge in many of my favorite treats produced by big businesses such as Hershey and Nestle, I moved towards eating dark chocolate. Most of the brands of dark chocolate that were available for me to eat were produced by smaller, often local companies and were commonly labeled as “fair trade.” By default, I became more cognizant of the labor and economic structures that went in to fueling my chocolate addiction. For so long I had been indulging in desserts that didn’t even meet the simple prerequisite of being produced through ethical trade practices, as you’re certainly not going to see a Snickers bar labeled as fair trade. Being produced through fair trade is surely a subjective process, as there are still controversies engulfing the fair trade movement in regards to its actual efficacy. But efforts to produce products in a more ethical manner are an important first step in moving towards a more equitable and sustainable food system.
Our contemplative practice regarding the role of chocolate in international economic, social, and political systems caused me to further question the inequities of our food system. The fact that the people at the very center of chocolate production—those that are working directly with the main ingredient for a product revered by much of the Global North—don’t even know the final product of their efforts in cacao production is disconcerting. In a truly fair trade system, shouldn’t laborers at all points of production know why they are working? Unfortunately, despite efforts at fair trade, our current food system perpetuates discourse of social and economic superiority, with those bearing the brunt of the work not receiving anywhere near the same respect or reward as those at later points of production and distribution.
Image from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ammichaels/6826705990