On Wednesday, April 13, the Ecolympics hosted an info session/organic chocolate tasting in CAS entitled, “Coffee, Chocolate, and Why Fair Trade is a Way to Go Green.”
Ecolympics is a BU organization, with the focus of promoting sustainability and reducing BU’s eco-footprint. Run by Daniel Hudson and Alex Coverdill, the group wants to do it in a fun way. They have different events held during the month of April and like the title entailed, it is a competition.
The chocolate and information was provided by Equal Exchange Co-Op, and presented by Molly Zeff, an interfaith representative for the co-op. Equal Exchange was started in 1986, and works with small farmer co-ops in 20 different countries around the world, including Colombia, India, and South Africa. Other than chocolate, they also work with bananas, coffee, tea, and other foods.
As she began her speech, Zeff reminded everyone of what fair trade entails. Fair trade is a movement that aims to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. In other words, it wants to eliminate middle men who could take money from those who deserve it.
This would make sense, since Equal Exchange focuses on helping the communities it works with. That is why they pay up to 60% of the contract established with their farmers, in order for the money to be used to build health centers, schools, and getting other important aspects for a community.
Plus, “I don’t want to have my bananas guarded by paramilitaries,” said Zeff.
From there, came the chocolate tasting. It was not a let down. The chocolate was delicious. In more words, it left the mouth wanting more, while being crumbly and satifactory, all at the same time.
Next, though, came the green talk. This portion of the evening was the more interesting than it can be perceived to be. Zeff mainly took the time to explain that no pesticides were used in any of the products.
In addition, she detailed the growing process, which is somewhat an oddity; all products are shade grown. This means that they’re grown in the shade of the leaves and branches of trees. It is done in the effort of slowing down deforestation and is a natural pesticide.
Altogether, the discussion was enlightening. Zeff explained that this type of outreach is important for the cause.
“We want each and every person to walk away from these discussions more enlightened,” said Zeff.
