A Break from the Kit Kat Bar

Letter to the Editor

As a member of the Niagara Grocery and Fairfield Market team, I recently had the opportunity to attend a Chocolate Tasting delivered by David Mincey.   David imports artisan chocolate and spreads the word about its noteworthiness.  Politics behind multinational food products are often alarming but it was invaluable to learn that positive, stable endeavors are spearheading the ranks of true chocolate production.

If news about an all-time favorite, cheap candy bar is bad, it's meant to perpetuate good.  Growing up in the 80's, my knowledge about chocolate products pertained to their respective advertising jingles. Today, query devices at fingertips, knowledge acquisition is instantaneous.  Locals like David Mincey and Jennifer McKimmie continuously share their food knowledge with the public - in person education dispersed within communities.  Yet, we're extremely selective about what to learn.

Lately, I've been talking chocolate within different social circles.  Chocolate ages well!  Cacao trees optimally grow under a rainforest canopy. Cacao harvesting is a very delicate process.  Cacao pods resemble papaya, weigh 3-5 pounds and contain 40-50 seeds!  Listeners show interest.  However, if the term child labor enters, the response is immediately dismissive. 

I educate my consumer self.  As a consumer, one can effectively vote.  Why, if mentioning that 90% of the planet's chocolate is produced by two negatively impacting companies, I'm witness to a circle of frowners?  If drawing links between pet foods and clear cut chocolate plantations, the conversation reaches a glossy eyed, uncomfortable end?  There is a consumer knowledge gap.  Many feel pestered, attacked and become defensive or make jokes.  We made the decision to embrace the global community - should we not educate ourselves about it?  Let's initiate excellent conversations about what's happening in the real world and not only in the realm of the self.

Marlene Jess