Boycott Hershey's - Mommy Greenest

Recently, Hershey’s responded to a child labor lawsuit and pressure from human rights groups by committing to 100% third-party certified production in Africa, where it sources the majority of its cocoa.

The certification should eliminate many claims of child labor, forced labor, child trafficking and verbal, physical and sexual harassment that have plagued America’s biggest chocolate manufacturer.

But there’s one problem with this objective: It’s not set to take effect until 2020. With an estimated 1.8 million children currently forced to labor on cocoa farms in West Africa, more than 10 million children will be affected over the next six years. I think that’s too slow, don’t you? With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, let’s do something about it!

Please join me in urging Hershey’s CEO John Bilbrey to stop supporting child slavery and speed up the timeline for 100% third-party certified cocoa production—and pledge to boycott Hershey’s products until this change takes effect. Thank you!

2.19.14 Update: We collected 390 signatures and delivered them to Hershey’s; I’ve taken down the link to the petition. I’ll keep you posted if we have a response. Thanks to everyone who signed and even if you didn’t, please join us in boycotting Hershey’s!

20 Comments

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April 19, 2016 at 6:33 pm

When Kisses Become Bitter(sweet): Hershey and Child Labor – What's at Stake

Stephanie Perdew

February 12, 2016 at 11:02 pm Reply

I just read a great article in Costco’s monthly magazine about the founder Milton Hershey. It was an inspiring article , so sad to see what has become of his company. Given the kind of man he was I am sure he would be appalled at the business practices his company is using and how it affects his legacy. I am going to write to Hershey personally and see what they have to say about that:0 Maybe write to Costco while i am at it, to see why they are supporting these terrible practices as well.

Rachel Sarnoff
February 13, 2016 at 4:33 pm Reply
Good for you, Stephanie! Thanks so much for getting involved.

Barbara DesChamps

February 11, 2014 at 11:55 pm Reply

Thanks, Rachel, for the research. It’s nice to know that Ghirardelli-Lindt is at least moving in the right direction. Nestle too, although they have a bad rep for pushing their products in lieu of breast milk.

Juanita

February 10, 2014 at 2:33 am Reply

Its hard to think of that happening this day and time let alone Hershey Co being connected with it. But you know that is how these big companies get rich.

Rachel Sarnoff
February 10, 2014 at 2:58 am Reply
I know, it’s sad right? They can afford to do better!

Barbara DesChamps

February 7, 2014 at 9:23 pm Reply

Is Hershey the only chocolate company with a record for exploitation? I tend to favor Ghirardelli but wonder if it and other large companies are also doing it.

Rachel Sarnoff
February 8, 2014 at 1:03 am Reply
Barbara, thank you so much for keeping this conversation going. I know we all have our favorite chocolate companies! Hershey is the largest buyer of chocolate in the world, which is why this boycott is so important. We’re still only at 200+ signatures, so anything you can do to share the petition would be greatly appreciated! Meanwhile, I did a little research on Ghiradelli, which is owned by Lindt, and apparently they also have established the 2020 deadline of third-party certified sourcing, but in the mean time they have moved their production from the Ivory Coast to more labor-friendly Ghana, which is a big step. Also, last year Nestle worked with the Fair Labor Association to map their cocoa supply chain for greater transparency. Any other brands you guys want to know about? Leave me a comment and I’ll find out!