Hersheys is in the bad books
It is good to see retailers standing up for what they believe in. Consumer cooperatives are concerned about carrying the Hershey brands, Dagoba and Scharffenberger, until Hershey demonstrates a clear commitment to being a leader in the movement to end child slave labour on West African cocoa farms.
Trudy Bialic, director of public affairs, PCC Natural Markets says, “PCC chooses to sell products that are socially just and environmentally sustainable. It’s the right thing to do and our customers count on us to be responsible gatekeepers.” PCC Natural Markets, a consumer-owned retailer with nearly 47,000 active members, believes profiteering at the expense of children is not an acceptable practice.
Quincy Natural Foods Co-op, is committed to supporting, purchasing, and selling fairly traded, ethically produced and environmentally sustainable products for its community. Lucinda Berdon, general manager, Quincy Natural Foods Co-op says, “Companies that profit at the expense of people or children and their communities, or the environment, will not be given any consideration in being included in our product line.”
Hershey has made some effort to invest in sustainable cocoa programmes. However, these attempts seem minimal, especially considering the work being done by other multinationals such as Kraft, Ferrero and Mars.
Hersheys need to step up its game.
