Keep Halloween Fair

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The Goods

Divine Chocolate, partially owned by the farmers of Kuapa Kokoo, sells 100 percent fair-trade-certified chocolate. Pass out bite-sized milk chocolate eggs ($6.50/200 pieces; www.lwr.org). Or give kids a chocolate treasure. Global Exchange is carrying Divine's Fair Trade Gold Coins, which read "Ghana Freedom and Justice" on one side and "Fair Deal for Cocoa Growers" on the other ($3.99/22 pieces; store.gxonlinestore.org). Visit www.divinechocolateusa.com to search for retailers by state.

Equal Exchange's organic and fair trade Dark Chocolate Mini's are available for a limited time this Halloween. ($12/68 minis; eeretail.stores.yahoo.net).

For whole chocolate bars, try Alter Eco's certified organic and fair trade chocolate ($4.29/bar; www.altereco.com, 415-701-1212).

Beyond labor issues, help reduce environmental frights by choosing candy made from organic sugar, which is produced without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers with methods that conserve soil. Try the Candy Tree's Organic Mixed Fruit Toffee, sweetened only with organic fruit juices and corn syrup and containing no artificial colors ($2.89/2.6 oz bag of individually wrapped pieces, www.veganessentials.com) and Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops, made with 100-percent natural colors and flavors ($2.69/bag of 15; www.veganessentials.com). Or buy a pack of organic candy mix including organic gummi bears, lollipops, root bear float candy and milk chocolate ($28/80 pieces; naturalcandystore.com).

Whether you stay in and man the door or hit the pavement to gather goodies this year, treat yourself to a safer, more sustainable and more humane Halloween.

Resources

For more information on fair trade, visit globalexchange.com and transfairusa.org.

There are plenty of other opportunities to make a difference on Halloween. Join UNICEF's ranks of kids helping kids on their widely successful "Trick-Or-Treat for UNICEF" program, gathering donations for UNICEF's worldwide aid programs while collecting treats. Pick up a collection box at local a Hallmark Gold Crown store or Pier 1 Imports, or order one online at unicefusa.org.

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