*Please forward*
Child Labor Taints the Flavor!
Demand M&M/Mars Sell Fair Trade Chocolate on Monday, June 7!

Join Chicago Jobs with Justice, American Friends Service Committee, Faith in
Place, Chicago Religious Leadership Network, Jubilee Economic Ministries,
Call to Action, Loyola Amnesty International and Global Exchange to demand
Fair Trade Chocolate from M&M/Mars on June 7!

We have a great and rare opportunity to pressure the chocolate buyers in
town for the All Candy Expo to ask that the world¹s largest chocolate
company offer Fair Trade as they tour the M&M/Mars plant. Greet the busload
of buyers:

WHEN: Monday, June 7th at 9:30 am.
WHERE: Outside the Hyatt Regency Chicago at 151 Wacker Drive (Stetson
Street Entrance, 1 Block east of Michigan Avenue).
CONTACT: Valerie Orth at Global Exchange 415-558-6938 or (cell)
510-551-9685, valerie (at) globalexchange.org
There will be samples of Fair Trade ³Just Coffee² and Fair Trade chocolate!

America¹s sweet tooth doesn¹t just cause cavities. The largest United States
chocolate manufacturers buy their cocoa beans at rock bottom prices that
impoverish cocoa farmers worldwide. Often they turn to using child labor in
abusive conditions, and sometimes even child slavery. All that could change
if big companies like M&M/Mars purchased Fair Trade cocoa beans that
guarantee farmers and their families a living wage.

See below for more information on the chocolate industry, Fair Trade and
Global Exchange. We look forward to seeing you there!

BACKGROUND ON CHOCOLATE & FAIR TRADE:
In 2001, child slavery and widespread child labor on cocoa farms were
reported by the US State Department and the International Labor
Organization. The US chocolate industry agreed to take action only after
intense pressure from consumers and even Congress. Unfortunately, the
industry¹s plan is woefully inadequate because it keeps producers too poor
to meet their labor costs or basic needs.

The REAL SOLUTION is FAIR TRADE, which gives cocoa farmers the minimum price
they need to feed their families and send their kids to school, and allows
for a sustainable earth. M&M/Mars is the world¹s biggest chocolate company
and rakes in almost $100 million yearly from M&M¹s alone. Yet, they have
refused to buy Fair Trade cocoa despite growing requests from chocolate
lovers of all ages. We need to make it clear that we will no longer tolerate
the excuses and exploitation from M&M/Mars. Join us to demand Fair Trade
from M&M/Mars on June 7! (For more information on the cocoa crisis and the
chocolate industry, please visit www.globalexchange.org/cocoa).

ABOUT THE 2004 ALL CANDY EXPO (From www.allcandyexpo.com):
Candy is Big Business! June 7-10, 2004 in Chicago
The ALL CANDY EXPO®, sponsored by the National Confectioners Association, is
the largest confectionery-only show in North America, and serves as the
meeting place for the confectionery industry. The EXPO is a unique
opportunity to buy, sell and network with industry professionals and
decision makers. There were 480 exhibitors and more than 17,000 attendees at
the 2003 event. All the leading chocolate buyers and sellers will be there,
including M&M/Mars, Hershey, and Nestle.

ABOUT GLOBAL EXCHANGE:
Global Exchange is a non-profit research, education, and action center
working for political, economic, environmental, and social justice on a
global scale. We work to increase international awareness among the U.S.
public emphasizing struggles for peace, justice, and equality while building
meaningful international partnerships. For information about our Fair Trade
& Economic Rights Campaigns, please visit
www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade