*Please distribute widely*

Join American Friends Service Committee, United Steelworkers of America District 7, SEIU Local 73, Chicago Jobs with Justice, 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 world’s 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: Darlene Gramigna (American Friends Service Committee) at 312-427-2533 x17, econafsc (at) igc.org or Valerie Orth (Global Exchange) at (cell) 510-551-9685, valerie (at) globalexchange.org
There will be samples of Fair Trade “Just Coffee” and Fair Trade chocolate!

Plus! NATIONAL CALL-IN WEEK FOR FAIR TRADE JUNE 31ST-4TH

Put pressure on the National Confectioners Association (NCA), representing the larger chocolate industry, to actively support Fair Trade before their All Candy Expo!
CALL: 1-800-433-1200. Ask for NCA President, Lawrence Graham. If you can’t reach him ask for NCA Office Manager, Ann Sharp
EMAIL: larry.graham (at) candyusa.org or ann.sharp (at) candyusa.org
Visit www.globalexchange.org/cocoa for more information.

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

America’s sweet tooth doesn’t 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.


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 industry’s 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 world’s biggest chocolate company and rakes in almost $100 million yearly from M&M’s 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