Feastables, the chocolate brand launched by famed YouTuber MrBeast, has attained Fairtrade certification, showcasing its commitment to ethical sourcing. This significant achievement indicates that the company uses 100% Fairtrade-certified cocoa sourced from cooperatives, further enhancing its credibility in the marketplace. Remarkably, this certification follows closely on the heels of the brand’s kosher certification announcement made on March 17.
The Fairtrade certification means Feastables adheres to stringent standards established by the Fairtrade Foundation, which prioritize fair compensation for farmers, promote environmental stewardship, and endorse ethical business practices. Following the announcement, consumers can expect Feastables chocolates to sport Fairtrade-certified packaging by summer 2023.
Feastables’ Commitment to Ethical Sourcing
Since its inception in 2022, Feastables has quickly become a globally recognized brand, largely due to its association with Jimmy Donaldson, known online as MrBeast, who boasts the highest subscriber count on YouTube. MrBeast is particularly focused on improving the circumstances of cocoa farmers in West Africa.
In alignment with its ethical sourcing strategy, Feastables has garnered recognition from the Fairtrade Foundation for its commitment to social responsibility. One of the key objectives of this initiative is to assist 1.5 million children in escaping child labor and receiving an education. In a recent statement, MrBeast emphasized:
“The status-quo of the big chocolate sector means nearly half of all children living in cocoa communities in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are engaged in illegal child labor. We created Feastables, and we’re going to use the incredible network of our fans, to change the way business is done in cacao-growing regions around the world.”
He further noted,
“I know we can create chocolate that people can afford and that also pays farmers fairly, so kids don’t have to work.”
According to Amanda Archila, Executive Director of Fairtrade America, Feastables is setting a precedent in the industry:
“By partnering with Fairtrade, Feastables is leading the industry by example. Feastables is taking their commitment a step further by paying the Fairtrade Living Income Reference Price, which will help farmers invest in sustainable production and support a fair living for themselves and their families so that cocoa growing communities can thrive.”
Consumer preferences are steadily shifting towards ethically sourced products. A recent survey indicated that 71% of global consumers recognize the Fairtrade mark, suggesting that Feastables’ ethical commitments could significantly enhance its market presence while supporting farmers.
Understanding Fairtrade America and Its Impact on Cocoa Production
Fairtrade America operates as a segment of Fairtrade International, a nonprofit entity dedicated to establishing equitable trading conditions for producers in developing nations. The organization primarily licenses the Fairtrade mark to products that meet widely accepted Fairtrade standards rather than directly trading in goods. In the cocoa sector, Fairtrade America focuses on:
- Ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers
- Eliminating child labor
- Advancing gender equality
- Enhancing the organization of smallholder farmers through cooperatives
- Building a climate-resilient cocoa industry
In a related development, Feastables also launched peanut butter eggs for Easter this February. Additionally, by purchasing these products, fans of MrBeast have a chance to participate in Season 2 of the Beast Games. For further details on the contest rules, interested customers can visit the official Feastables website.