I have an ethical question I’d love input on.
I want to buy cacao nibs. I’ve found two options at about the same price, both of which meet Just Kai’s minimum standards for being slave-free. If one of them was way cheaper, I’d probably just buy that one, lol. But given that’s not the case, I’ve found myself wondering: which would be better to buy?
Here’s what I’m weighing up:
Option 1: Fairtrade certified Navitas cacao nibs via iHerb.
I want to order enough other things from iHerb that I get free shipping, so they’re $54.30 for 454g.
- reason I’m thinking to choose this one: this is the first time I’ve seen Fairtrade certified cacao nibs on iHerb. In the past the best I’ve seen there have been certified by another scheme which has much weaker standards. By buying this I would hopefully send a small signal to iHerb that their customers support Fairtrade.
- secondary reason: these don’t say where they’re grown so I can’t be sure without asking, but many Fairtrade products are grown in regions where child labour is common, and buying those supports getting those kids off farms and into school.
Option 2: Sāmoan cacao nibs from Sāmaori
$52 for 500g (2x $22 250g packets + $8 shipping within Auckland).
- reason I’m thinking to choose this one: this is the *only* slave-free cacao nibs option I know of that is actually available in New Zealand. I’d like to support there being at least one such option, even if it is online only!
- reason why I’m less sure: I kind-of like the idea of supporting something grown in our region (and processed in Aotearoa) BUT Sāmoa is a country that’s managed to basically eliminate child labour from its agriculture. So, whilst I’m confident this product will be child labour free, I don’t think it’s doing anything to reduce child labour either.
Which would you buy? Let me know via the contact form, or chip into the discussion on Facebook.