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Checking In
By Abigail Welborn | posted 04/01/2010
"So let’s not get tired of doing what is good." (Galatians 6:9a, NLT)
It’s Holy Week - which means that Lent is almost over for another year. Six weeks ago I wrote about my decision not to buy non-fair-trade chocolate for Lent, so now that I am almost ready to go buy lots of cheap clearance chocolate and feast on it (I have a weakness for Easter bunnies, especially my childhood favorite, Henrietta Heffelflopper), it’s time for me to report in.
The good news is that it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I made one Sunday exception (many Protestant traditions of Lent don’t include Sundays, which are always considered Feast Days), because I was in a Chili’s, which are hard to find around here, and I am convinced that their version of chocolate lava cake is one of the best. I also didn’t count white chocolate (which may be made with cocoa butter, but seems not to have cocoa in it). Otherwise, I didn’t buy any chocolate at all.
More good news is that a lot of my friends not only supported me, but loved the idea! We are doing research together to find more fair trade chocolate and learn ways to encourage companies to support fair trade. Because of my commitment, I’ve become more curious about fair trade items, which is a good first step in itself. I found out that Ben & Jerry’s has made a commitment to source all their chocolate (and many other ingredients) from fair trade suppliers by 2013. Starbucks is approaching 100% fair trade coffee and is starting on their other ingredients. Companies are really beginning to pay attention, and consumer demand is the best way to encourage them.
The bad news is that I still found it hard to keep my commitment sometimes. There are very few fair trade chocolate options out there, especially for drinks, which, I discovered, are a significant chocolate intake vehicle for me. Some people don’t know what I mean when I say "fair trade" - although most do. Some things, such as Girl Scout cookies, seem unlikely ever to have a fair trade option.
None of the bad news, however, nullifies the reasons behind my decision in the first place. That’s why we have to keep remembering - and reminding one another - to "not get tired of doing what is good" (Gal. 6:9a NLT). Several friends have asked me whether I’ll continue my commitment after Easter. I’ve proven that I can do it, but I think I won’t be completely strict for the long term, just because I don’t want to make a commitment that I can’t keep. But I won’t stop supporting fair trade chocolate whenever I can, even at the expense of a little inconvenience, and I’m excited to work with my friends to spread the word.
Abigail can be reached via email here. If you’re interested in fair trade stuff but don’t know where to start, try a tour of Theo Chocolate in Seattle. The Creekside women are going as a group on April 24 (contact Lynn for details). It could also be a great date night (or morning)!
