Fairtrade America announced that Lidl US will offer US customers a private label chocolate bar that contributes to a living income for cocoa farmers.
Known as Way To Go!, Lidl's new chocolate bar uses 100% traceable and sustainable Fairtrade cocoa sourced from the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative in Ghana. Way To Go! guarantees that farmers at the cooperative receive at least the Fairtrade Minimum Price for cocoa and the Fairtrade Premium, an extra sum of money for farmers to invest in their farms and communities. Additionally, Lidl has partnered with Fairtrade to pay an innovative second premium for every metric ton of cocoa purchased for the Way To Go! bars. Lidl's premium helps farmers increase income, diversify into new categories like honey, rice or soap, and develop new farming techniques to increase yields and income over the long term.
Cocoa farmers in West Africa, where two-thirds of the world's supply is sourced, have long struggled with extreme poverty and child labor abuses. Living income – the amount needed for a worker to meet their basic needs – is a critical step in fighting and eventually eradicating these issues.
Cocoa farmers are often living on less than $2/day, facing the challenges of the effects of climate change and living with limited infrastructure. Fairtrade International's rigorous standards and auditing process ensure cocoa farmers receive fair incomes and working conditions. Lidl is a longtime partner of Fairtrade, and all private label chocolate bars sold at Lidl US are Fairtrade certified.
Lidl's Way To Go! Bar will be available in milk and dark chocolate at all Lidl US stores starting December 16.
www.fairtradeamerica.org