Not-So-Spooky Halloween Treats

It’s time to update the Halloween candy bowl with the best environmental choices. Get moving on picking up or ordering your candy to avoid that last minute run on whatever is left on store shelves Halloween day. Take a look at these delicious eco-conscious treats!

Organic Chocolates

Unreal

Milk/Dark peanut butter cups & candy coated chocolate peanuts. Unreal products include organic and Fair Trade ingredients with the bonus of vegan and  gluten free options. Sold at WholeFoods, Amazon, Thrive Markets, Kroger, Big Y and more! Also available online.

Endangered Species Chocolate

Endangered Species Chocolate donates 10% of its net profits to organizations that support species conservation, habitat preservation, and humanitarian efforts.

Divine Chocolate

Divine Chocolate  Always going for the gold! Divine Chocolate is a woman-led, Fair Trade co-op from Ghana. These eco-conscious, farmer’s rights, community supporting ubiquitous Gold Coins take you from Halloween straight through the holidays!

Equal Exchange

Equal Exchange is one of the original Fair Trade chocolates. This dedicated farmer co-op company offers an affordable Halloween kit option. 150 (Milk or Dark) chocolate minis, including a Fair Trade informational card.

Alter Ego

Alter Ego  not only offers a product featuring Fair Trade Certified cocoa – but exceptional Truffles made with pure coconut oil in compostable wrappers. A delicious waste-free bonus!

Companies to AVOID!

Nestle products are discouraged – not only because of a lack of Fair Trade practices, or their regular habit of guzzling water and selling it back to the rightful owners (the communities and nearby cities) – but because they are one of the top 10 corporate plastic polluters according to a 2018 global brand audit. Please do not reward Nestle by purchasing their products.

Godiva is another company to avoid until they put their money where their mouth is in regards to Fair Trade. Most major chocolate companies have vowed to incorporate 100% certified cocoa in their supply chains by 2020, and are making progress towards that goal every year. Godiva has not shared any plans to implement certified cocoa sourcing or programs to protect against child labor. Please sign this petition encouraging them to do so pronto!

Organic Candies

Glee Gum Pops – zero artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors or flavors!

You can circumvent the cocoa conundrum entirely by passing out non-chocolate treats. These lollies and gummies are easy to order – so get on the stick!

GleeGum

GleeGum is an non-GMO product approved by Green America, as well as being a WBENC certified (Women owned business). You can purchase directing from GleeGum’s site or find a retailer nearest you.

Yummy Earth

YummyEarth was created by two N.J. Dads with a goal of producing organically delicious, natural treats for their families. The result: mouth watering gummys, fruit snacks, licorice & lollipops that burst with YUM!

Surf Sweets

Surf Sweets uses all organic and natural ingredients while honoring farmers, suppliers, and the planet through Fair Trade and empowerment initiatives. Surf Sweets gummies are gluten free and vegan.

Conventional Candies

If your local grocery or drug store is your only option, opt for Mars products over Hersey, Lindt, and Nestle. There isn’t anything healthy about these candies but 50% of Mars cocoa is certified and they are Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certified. Be aware that they have not yet committed to being 100% cocoa certified by 2025.

Mars Candies Include:

Dove

3 Musketeers

M&M’s

MilkyWay

Snickers

Twix

And remember to compost your pumpkin! Chop it up into manageable pieces. It is organic and will be a welcome addition to any compost pile or organic scrap collection.

Tags: Fair Trade