Bristol chocolate festival proves an egg-cellent day out

CHOCAHOLICS were in paradise when a two-day chocolate festival was held in the city centre.
Visitors had the chance to taste and buy a range of chocolate treats and chocolate-flavoured products – from traditional warming drinks, cakes and biscuits to the more bizarre pizzas and wine.

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   Cousins Sophie May and Ruby May with their Easter eggs Picture: Michael Lloyd BRML2012 0407B-002

Easter eggs, artisan truffles and chocolate gifts were also on sale at the event, which was held in Bristol for the first time.

Linked to the festival were a series of other activities, including an Easter egg trail, a find the bunny hunt on board Bristol Ferry Boat Company's vessels and live music.

Families who called into M shed discovered Bristol's long association with chocolate, including the invention of the Easter egg, with the help of film from the archives of Bristol Records Office.

They were also able to join a chocolate factory tour organised by Harvest Heritage Arts and Media and youngsters were invited to design an Easter egg on the theme of Bristol in 2012.

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Tapping World Summit 2012

Law of Resonance

Cop mistakes chocolate bar for cellphone

Bittersweet story of chocolate

By Tim Costello

No doubt after Easter Sunday, there are a few of us feeling a bit guilty about overindulging in one or two too many chocolates.

Yet most of us will be shocked to learn that there is another unfortunate impact from our annual splurge on chocolate eggs and bunnies every Easter.

Indeed when you look at the facts, it is clear that much of the chocolate we consume in Australia will have cocoa in it that has been tainted by the use of child and trafficked labourers.

An estimated 70 per cent of the world's cocoa supplies come from two countries in West Africa, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

Research undertaken by Tulane University in New Orleans found that between 2007 and 2008 almost two million children were working on cocoa-related activities in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. They found that nearly 50 per cent of these children had reported to have sustained injuries from their work.

World Vision research has found that less than 5 per cent of the world's cocoa supply is ethically certified to have been made without the use of forced or child labour. Unknowingly, we often delight in chocolate and don't realise the true impact of our sweet tooth.

To achieve a significant reduction in exploitation of cocoa fields, companies should increase their current targets for purchasing ethically certified cocoa.

I've been to the cocoa fields of West Africa and have seen this exploitation first-hand. Children labour for long hours in high humidity and use dangerous machetes. In my travels I spoke to children, cocoa farmers and authorities.

Local authorities are trying to come to the aid of trafficked and exploited children. I saw the mug shots of traffickers and was told of trafficking offenders that went to great lengths to transport children from neighbouring countries into the Ivory Coast to work in their cocoa fields.

An agreement known as the Harkin-Engel Protocol was signed in 2001 between Big Chocolate, the United States and the Ivory Coast to eliminate the worst forms of child labour from their cocoa supply chains.

Over 10 years on, actions taken by the chocolate industry have only been gradual. Since the launch of the World Vision's Don't Trade Lives campaign four years ago, we've seen chocolate companies take steps to commit to purchasing cocoa through independent ethical certification schemes such as Fairtrade and UTZ Certified.

The Australian industry is worth more than $1.28 billion, and in 2010 alone it spent $46 million on advertising. To significantly increase ethically sourced cocoa for their products, chocolate companies could pay a small levy of 2 cents in every $10 of chocolate sales. The funding could help train poor cocoa farmers in sustainable practices and to abolish child and trafficked labour.

The levy would be a drop in the ocean compared to sales. It would be industry-wide which would force all chocolate companies to take action, not just those with a good moral compass.

It's easy to become despairing and to feel powerless when we hear stories of child exploitation, but we do have the power to force change in this industry, every time we go shopping.

When you buy chocolate look out for a logo on the packet that says it is ethically certified. World Vision Australia also has a Good Chocolate Guide on our campaign site.

Of course while our consumption of chocolate spikes at Easter, we do buy chocolate all year around. By simply voting with your wallet and choosing fair trade when you buy chocolate you can help to eradicating child labour and also send a message to the big chocolate companies.

As consumers we have a tremendous power to force change in our world. It requires us to be aware of the issues and to care enough to take action with our shopping habits. What we buy off the shop shelves here, has a profound impact on people a world away.

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Tapping World Summit 2012

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Mars Chocolate N. America unwraps new solar garden at Ethel M Chocolate factory

Shining Example of Mars’ Commitment to Sustainability

LAS VEGAS, NV (February 23, 2012)  – Mars Chocolate North America, makers of Las Vegas’ own Ethel M Chocolates, announced today the grand opening of a new solar garden at its Henderson chocolate factory. The state-of-the-art solar installation provides 100 percent of the electrical energy to the Ethel Ms plant during peak operating hours.

The project’s completion was commemorated with a ribbon cutting event attended by state and local government officials, executives from NV Energy, juwi solar Inc. (JSI), and Mars Chocolate North America leaders. 

“At Mars Chocolate North America, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the world,” said Mike Wittman, vice president of supply.   “We are proud of the investments we are making to ensure we are using the earth’s resources responsibly.  This newest solar garden moves us closer to our goals of eliminating our carbon footprint at our sites by 2040 and using 100 percent renewable energy.” 

The new Ethel M factory solar garden features 2,112 ground-mounted solar panels on 4.4 acres, and is the largest solar installation by a food manufacturer in Nevada. The installation generates 1,258 megawatt hours of zero-emission electricity each year, offsetting 867 metric tons of greenhouse gas – the equivalent of removing approximately 170 vehicles from the road.  The project will generate as much energy as 115 Nevada households use annually. 

Mars will purchase all of the energy generated by the solar garden and JSI will own the project and its associated energy credits.  Mars worked closely with NV Energy to ensure that the new installation met net metering requirements, enabling Mars to receive energy offsets from the utility based on the amount of energy their solar panels will produce.  

“Turning one of the desert’s greatest assets into energy is in complete alignment with Mars’ Principles in Action, our core business values,” said Mack Phillips, site director of the Henderson plant.  “Two years ago we unveiled a similar solar project at our North American headquarters in Hackettstown, NJ, and its impact on our operations has been substantial.”

"This is the second solar PV project built by juwi solar on Mars-owned property,” said Michael Martin, CEO of JSI. "We are proud to play a role in advancing environmental and sustainability goals by replacing the grid’s brown power with green power generated onsite."

The solar garden is adjacent to the chocolate factory and Ethel M’s Botanical Cactus Garden.  A vista point located within the Botanical Cactus Garden will allow the more than 700,000 annual visitors to view the new solar facility.

“We are fortunate to have been a part of the Henderson and Las Vegas community for more than 30 years,” said Phillips. “We hope the completion of our solar garden demonstrates our continuing commitment to be an environmentally friendly citizen.  Our goal is that every business decision we make will have a positive effect on people and the planet through our performance.  This project achieves all three.”

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Self Improvement
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Dark chocolate eases PMS symptoms

Dark chocolate eases PMS symptoms

Due to a monthly drop in estrogen and progesterone that procedes during periods, most of us get to experience these not-so-fun and disruptive symptoms.
These hormonal changes create a domino effect which results in yet another temporary drop in the "feel good" hormone serotonin as well as other endorphins.

Feeling irritated, depressed and tired are some of the common symptoms of PMS. These symptoms can last from three to seven days. While it may sound unpleasant, there are ways to alleviate your PMS symptoms.

Berries, calcium, vitamin E & B6 and magnesium are some elements that can help minimise the symptoms of PMS. Chocolate works wonders! Dark chocolate is known to contain magnesium and mood boosting omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that contains less sugar and no milk.

While PMSing, make sure to avoid foods that contain sugar, salt or caffeine. These foods lead to bloating, irritability, anxiety and depression which are associated with PMS.

Exercise is important too. Try and do moderate exercise, about 30 minutes of walking to lighten your mood and feel energetic.

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Cop mistakes chocolate bar for cellphone

A chocolate bar very nearly led to a blemish on a Timaru teenager's driving record.

Fortunately, Timaru Herald photographer Mytchall Bransgrove, 18, has been spared a fight to clear his name after police decided to cancel an $80 infringement fee issued when he was stopped for allegedly using his cellphone while driving.

The mixup happened in late December, when Bransgrove – waiting at the turning bay on King St to head up Beaconsfield Rd – was about to take a bite from a Moro Gold chocolate bar.

As he turned, he saw the lights of a police car behind him – his first encounter with the law since gaining his restricted licence in August.

"He started talking to me," Bransgrove said.

"At first I couldn't understand him. I heard the word cellphone – my first thought was, 'Is my cellphone on the roof?'"

"[The officer] said, 'I saw you using your cellphone while you were driving'."

Bransgrove said he was confused for a few seconds until he realised the officer had mistaken his chocolate bar for a cellphone.

Despite trying to explain, including pointing out his cellphone was in a closed bag on the passenger side floor, the ticket was issued – and Bransgrove lost his appetite.

Had he been talking on his cellphone, Bransgrove said he would have paid the fine.

However, unwilling to let his copybook be blotted by a chocolate bar, he wrote to the police, offering his explanation.

Yesterday he received a letter back, saying the infringement had been cancelled "after careful consideration of your comments and the circumstances surrounding the issue of this notice".

He's not holding any grudges. The officer was just doing his job, he said.

"I believe it was a genuine mistake on the police officer's behalf," Bransgrove said.

"I'm quite glad that nothing's gone on my record."

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