Q&A with Barefoot & Chocolate's Sasha Lewis

Sasha and Trent Lewis, the team behind Barefoot & Chocolate, are obsessed with two of our favorite things: fair trade and chocolate! They create delicious chocolate spreads made with honest, fair trade ingredients so that customers can feel good about what they're eating. Their philosophy is "Good Karma + Best Ingredients = Spread Goodness." 

Here, Sasha tells us what makes Barefoot & Chocolate so special and how we can further the Fair Trade mission.

What is the inspiration behind Barefoot & Chocolate? 

The inspiration behind Barefoot & Chocolate was to create a chocolate spread that was honest and delicious. It really was that simple. We could not find a chocolate spread that we loved - it either had questionable ingredients or completely missed the mark tasting mostly like sugar and oil. We felt that something this beloved and enjoyed world over, can be made better - with honest ingredients that were sourced responsibly. So we pulled out our blenders and went to work.

Why should college students buy Fair Trade products?

All people should be buy Fair Trade products, not just college students. Each of us, have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that products we purchase are being not made at the expense of those that are lowest in the chain - usually the farmers and workers. Having a profitable business does not have to mean no conscience. We need to create a new economy where profits are more equally distributed. Ensuring farmers are paid fair wages for their crops is such a simple act, but when everyone commits to performing this simple act is when we can truly hope to effect meaningful change. It creates true change to the farmers and their families, giving them the opportunity for a better life, the opportunity to educate their children. The cycle of poverty ends and one of economic empowerment begins. The consumer gets a superior quality product and the producer has access to a better quality life. Win Win for all.

What advice do you have for students who want to start their own Fair Trade business?

Partner with a Fair Trade certifying organization that can help you promote your product as well as legitimize your Fair Trade claim by formal verification. A logo applied to your label from a Fair Trade certifying organization is more widely recognized by the consumer. Learn about the different Fair Trade products, research and understand where the products that you are selling come from. The more knowledge you have the better you will be at spreading the message of Fair Trade.

How You Can Help
Currently, Barefoot & Chocolate spreads come in 3 yummy flavors: Hazelnut Chocolate, Almond Coconut Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Almond with Sea Salt. These spreads can be bought at the Amani cart, online or in select locations across the US. You can also support their mission by visiting their Kickstarter page here!

Patagonia Introduces Fair Trade Certified Apparel

In May, the outdoor apparel and gear company Patagonia announced it would sell Fair Trade clothing! The new Fair Trade line features 10 women’s sportswear items including hoodies, tank tops, and yoga pants. By Spring 2015, Patagonia plans to add an additional 33 clothing items and to also begin using Fair Trade Certified cotton. This step makes Patagonia one of the first major clothing companies to join the Fair Trade cause.

“Offering Fair Trade products is an important new tool for us to help ensure fair wages and workplace safety for the workers in the supply chain who sew Patagonia clothes," says Cara Chacon, Director of Social and Environmental Responsibility for Patagonia. “We are also empowering the people purchasing our products. This effort is part of a larger strategy to raise awareness with our customers on how they can make a difference in the world with their purchasing decisions.”

According to Patagonia’s website, the money from the Fair Trade clothing sales will go into a special account for the factory workers in India who produce the clothing. These workers then vote to decide how best to use this money to serve their community. The funds can create scholarships, help build a school, or be invested in another developmental project. Workers can also vote to use the funds as a cash bonus, which may be worth an entire month’s wages.

To learn more, visit Patagonia’s website and Fair Trade USA.

Business Profile: Lakshya

The Story Behind Lakshya:

Located in Faridabad just outside of New Delhi, Lakshya is a self-help group of street children working to provide shelter and education for themselves and other children. Many of these children had previously been pulling rickshaws, polishing shoes, or rag picking instead of attending school. Ramesh Kumar Gupta, who ran away himself, founded Lakshya as a co-op to create sustainable lifestyles for the next generation of street children.

Children who are age 6-16 attend local schools and learn about different social issues. When children graduate from the Lakshya program at age 19, they can either work as full-time employees or look for other employment. By offering opportunities for education and job skills, Lakshya aims to point New Delhi’s street children in a positive direction.

Lakshya Products:
The Lakshya co-op children and adults create various types of jute bags and paper bags. These colorful products are made from recycled paper and cloth meaning that buyers can purchase something that’s both beautiful and eco-friendly. Current products include backpacks, wallets, tote bags, laptop bags, and toiletry bags.

How You Can Help:
You can purchase Lakshya products at the Amani Cart and online on Lakshya’s website. Every purchase helps Lakshya provide a better life for the street children in New Delhi. The more purchases Lakshya receives, the more children can be helped!