In a Valentine’s Day turnaround this year, it was the CEO’s of major chocolate companies represented by the Chocolate Manufacturers Association (CMA) who received gifts: bouquets of fair trade certified flowers with a note attached calling on them to make a real commitment to ending child labor on cocoa farms in West Africa, from a group of organizations and chocolate companies who have already made the same commitment.

The following companies were surprised with bouquets of fair trade certified roses: Archer Daniels Midland, Barry Callebaut, Hershey, Mars, Blommers, Nestle, Cargill, World’s Finest Chocolate and Guittard Chocolate Company. The note read, “At Valentines Day, we talk about commitment. Chocolate manufacturers it's time to make a REAL commitment TODAY to 1) END abusive child labor & 2) SIGN Commitment to Ethical Cocoa Sourcing -Commitment Signatories.” The “Commitment to Ethical Cocoa Sourcing” is a joint statement signed by almost 60 organizations and chocolate companies outlining steps they agree to take to eliminate harmful labor conditions from their cocoa supply chains. The document is available online here: http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-labor/cocoa-campaign/resources/861.