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Where To Find Ethically Made Chocolate
Buying fair trade takes a stand for a system that treats everyone with respect.
Many times, chocolate is oh-so-much more than just candy. In its natural form, it’s a superfood packed with antioxidants and cardiovascular benefits, and studies show chocolate boosts energy, reduces stress, increases concentration and even improves maternal health. This playful, nutrient-dense treat is the perfect pick-me-up and superfood recharge.
“When we buy fair trade products, we are casting a vote for the ethical treatment of the laborers around the world who are responsible for the food we eat.”
So we know chocolate is good for us. But what about the farmers who grow it? The International Labor Organization estimates that there are millions of child laborers working to produce many of our everyday purchases such as coffee and cocoa. As you might imagine, forced laborers are exploited for their work, forced to work long hours with little or no pay, and have little rights.
When we buy fair trade products, we are casting a vote for the ethical treatment of the laborers around the world who are responsible for the food we eat. Fair trade sourcing means not only are workers paid fairly but also they have safe and environmentally-friendly working conditions.
These conscious chocolate brands have made it an integral part of their mission to develop mutually beneficial partnerships by employing fair trade and direct trade practices with the farmers who cultivate their cocoa crops. Oh—and they make delicious good-for-you chocolate.
You might also like our guide to healthy organic meal kit delivery servicesand fair trade coffee.
1. Alter Eco Foods
Best For | Truffle lovers, eco-friendly practices
Price | $2.99–$4.99 per bar
Alter Eco is a certified B Corporation. They are certified Fair Trade, non-GMO and organic, and they also use compostable packaging and offset carbon emissions by planting thousands of trees within their supply chains. Their fair trade truffles and chocolates are crafted with pure, good-fat-rich superfood, coconut oil. And with no preservatives, no soy, or no palm kernel oil. These little bundles of yummy decadent joy have everything you love—and are also good for you and the planet.
2. Theo Chocolate
Best For | Social impact,variety of flavors
Price | $2.99–$3.99 per bar
Theo Chocolate is dedicated to making our world a better place, and they’re finding ways to do it through their passion for cocoa. Their commitment to social and environmental responsibility has led them to partner with organizations like Eastern Congo Initiative, the Jane Goodall Institute, and the World Bicycle Relief. As the first organic and fair trade chocolate factory in the country, Theo Chocolate’s founding principle is that the finest artisan chocolate in the world can (and should) be produced in an entirely ethical, sustainable fashion.
Also Available At | Hive , Sprouts
3. Evolved
Best For | True dark chocolate lovers (72%-100% cocoa)
Price | $2.79–$4.99 per bar
All Evolved chocolate is free of gluten, dairy, or soy. In fact, they use the fewest ingredients physically possible to create chocolate. No junk, no fillers, just the highest quality, fair trade cacao lightly sweetened with organic maple sugar directly sourced from Maple producers in Vermont and Canada.Evolved’s guiding principle is “Chocolate: It’s Food, Not Candy.” When chocolate is done right, it’s a delicious, antioxidant-rich superfood.
Also Available At | Thrive Market
4. UnReal
Best For | Gluten-, corn-, & soy-free candy
Price | $1.99–$9.99 per bar
UnReal is on a mission to unjunk the world by reinventing America’s favorite foods. They started with M&Ms® and Reese’s®, making them without junk and less sugar but with better taste. Every ingredient they use is non-GMO, always real, and never artificial. No gluten, corn, or soy. UnReal uses sustainably sourced and fair trade ingredients. Every bite truly does taste unreal. Watch the founder’s TED Talkto learn more!
Also Available At | Hive , Thrive Market
5. Equal Exchange
Best For | Chocolate minis
Price | $2.99–$6.99 per bar
Equal Exchange‘s mission is to build long-term local partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, and to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers through fair trade practices. Their chocolates and cocoas are crafted using USDA certified organic ingredients, grown with care by small farmer co-ops. We especially love the boxes of 150 minis to keep on our desks for a sweet treat every so often!
6. Dapaah
Best For | Vegan chocolate
Price | £9.99 per bar
Ghana produces 20 percent of the entire world’s supply of cocoa, and it’s about time they were recognized globally for it! Dapaah, run by the Dapaah siblings, is a locally sourced business that works directly with the organic cacao trade throughout the country. Each bar, though vegan, is milky, rich, and especially decadent—and it’s even sweeter to know that their practices are fair trade and farmers are paid sizable wages through a profit share model.
7. Endangered Species Chocolate
Best For | Nature & animal lovers
Price | $2.39–$5.29 per bar
With each chocolate bar, Endangered Species Chocolate is protecting diversity of life on our planet and promoting true global change. Endangered Species Chocolate donates 10 percent of profits to partner organizations that support species conservation, habitat preservation and humanitarian efforts. Their milk and dark chocolate bars and bites are made with shade-grown cacao and natural fair trade ingredients. Choosing their chocolate is one way you can honor farmers and support sustainable farming practices.
Also Available At | Target , Thrive Market
8. Beyond Good
Best For | Chocolate made entirely in Africa
Price | $2.99 – $4.50 per bar
Africa grows 70 percent of the world’s cocoa, yet produces less than one percent of the world’s chocolate. Beyond Good exists to change this by making chocolate entirely on the continent. Beyond Good empowers Madagascan and Ugandan cocoa farmers with skills training and higher wages. So far, they’ve created meaningful income for over 100 people—from chocolate making to packaging production, to the farming of cocoa, spices, and fruits.
Also Available At | Hive , Sprouts
9. Loving Earth
Best For | Australian raw chocolate lovers
Price | $3.50–$8.50
For over a decade, Loving Earth has been dedicated to sourcing and manufacturing the ACO Certified Organic and fair trade raw chocolate. An especially healthy treat, this chocolate contains no cane sugar or dairy and remains completely uncooked and unprocessed. Because the Cacao Beans are not roasted, their natural wealth of phytonutrients remain fully intact. Loving Earth’s raw chocolate contains up to twice the amount of antioxidants of conventionally processed chocolate.
Also Available At | Woolworths
10. Phillip Ashley Chocolates
Best For | Designer chocolate boxes
Price | $35–$250 per box
Named the “Willy Wonka of Chocolate” by Forbes and recognized by Oprah Magazine, the James Beard Foundation, and Vogue, Phillip Ashley Rix is a true chocolate connoisseur. Each box of these luxury chocolates are made in small batches using fair trade and premium ingredients, with a focus on seasonal availability and sustainability. They’re the perfect surprise for your Valentine—or to treat yo’self (you deserve it!).
11. Divine Chocolate
Best For | Milk chocolate lovers, baking bars & powders
Price | $1.99–$6.99 per bar
Divine Chocolate is one of the only certified Fair Trade chocolate companies worldwide that is co-owned by cocoa farmers. This allows co-op members to share in profits and have a larger voice in the cocoa industry. As a certified B Corp, they also prioritize gender equality, women’s professional opportunities, and social entrepreneurship. We love them for their wide selection, availability, and affordable pricing!
Also Available At | Thrive Market
