Urge M&M/Mars to Buy Fair Trade Chocolate!

Global Exchange, along with Campaign for Labor Rights, is asking concerned chocolate consumers to take part in the ongoing pressure to ask M&M/Mars begin a dialogue with Fair Trade Coalition members. We're asking you to call in and encourage the company to meet with the Coalition in August.

The time is ripe for MM/Mars to make a change! This phone action is following a great action that took place in early June in Chicago. This event took place during the All Candy Expo (the annual candy confectioners conference) when more than sixty fourth graders stood outside the hotel where company delegates were staying and read letters they had written, requesting fair trade chocolate, into a microphone as the conference-goers loaded onto a MM/Mars plant tour bus. This event made the front page of the Chicago Tribune business section (Please see http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/2013.html). Don't take no for an answer and keep calling until you talk to someone! We would love to hear what their responses are so please let us know how your conversation goes. Please read through the suggested script below before making your calls. This is an important action and we really appreciate your help!

CALL-IN ACTION THE WEEK OF AUGUST 2ND!!

1-908-850-2810

Masterfoods (MM/Mars): Hello?

You: Hello! May I please speak with Colleen Karen of External Affairs?

Masterfoods: May I ask who is calling please?

You: My name is _________ and I am calling on behalf of myself, a chocolate consumer. Thank you.

(Once connected) You: Hello. My name is ________ and as a consumer of your chocolate products, I am calling to request that you meet with representatives from highly respected human rights leaders in August in order to discuss paying your cocoa producers a minimum sustainable wage and certifying it with the Fair Trade label.

(some possible responses, and your rebuttals, but remember that, essentially, you are not calling to discuss the Fair Trade philosophy but to encourage a simple meeting in August)

Masterfoods: We have decided not to use Fair Trade Certification

You: The decisions you have made regarding labor standards relevant to cocoa production have been made without any Fair Trade representation. The Fair Trade model is the only model that guarantees Fair Trade prices based on the use of its certification seal. You should sit down with a group of knowledgeable people to talk about your decision. It is not too late to reconsider or think about alternative solutions.

Masterfoods: We have thought of alternative solutions, we have signed the Industry Protocol in 2001 that rids the industry of the worst forms of child labor.

You: The US chocolate industry has a "Protocol" to end child slavery, but it doesn't guarantee the stable and sufficient cocoa prices that producers need to cover their labor costs and basic needs. It also places the blame for child slavery on producers rather than admitting that the chocolate industry is keeping farmers poor and thus dependent on child labor. The "Protocol" was developed in 2001 and has a deadline of 2005, but no progress has been made yet.

Masterfoods: The Fair Trade model is based on cooperatives that have access to infrastructure that many of our producers do not have access to. Therefore, the Fair Trade model is not applicable to us.

You: Fair Trade is easy for farmers to get involved in, and already involves more than 42,000 farmers from 9 different countries in West Africa and Latin America. Over 90% of cocoa producers are small-scale farmers that could join the Fair Trade system by forming cooperatives. Cooperative formation is simple and free, and makes infrastructure development easier because cooperatives pool individual resources to achieve the necessary steps. The biggest obstacle to Fair Trade lies in the failure of companies to support this system to create the necessary demand. There is more than enough supply. Fair Trade producers sell only a fraction of their crop at Fair Trade prices because companies like Masterfoods refuse to pay them what their crop is worth.

Masterfoods: Actually, we have addressed this issue. Some of our accomplishments include establishing farmer field schools which are pilot programs seeking to raise standard of living and promoting internationally accepted labor practices. Trained Cameroon farmer organization producers earned 15 percent more for their cocoa crop. The steps we are currently taking are part of a broader effort initiated in 1998 to improve the well-being of millions of responsible small farmers.

You: By emphasizing public education on labor standards, you are placing the blame on farmers rather than acknowledging the true problem: poverty. The "pilot programs" and "broader efforts" are charity efforts of limited reach and without guaranteed results. These programs were established well before abusive child labor was discovered, a clear sign of their ineffectiveness. They have failed because they operate within a system rooted in injustice. Fair Trade involves programs with similar goals, and has demonstrated success because such programs operate within a comprehensive system.

IN CONCLUSION: The basis for this phone call today is to insist that you agree to meet with a coalition of organizations who represent my position in favor of Fair Trade cocoa. I'd like you to contact Global Exchange at 415-558-6938 to address this issue. Thank you for your time.

Phone Messages: Hello, my name is _____ and I am calling to ask that you meet with the Fair Trade Cocoa Coalition who has asked you to begin a dialogue regarding your company and Fair Trade chocolate. Industry Protocol has one more year left before it is slated to meet its goals. This is not going to happen based on your current pace. Please meet with the Fair Trade Cocoa Coalition in August in order to better your attempt to abolish child slavery and abusive labor. Please call Global Exchange at 415-558-6938. Thank you.