Dear Mr Bane and who it may concern, We, customers of Trader Joe's, are writing to you with concern for our world.  We ask that Trader Joe's phases out products with Palm Oil from Indonesia, Malaysia, any new plantations and any untraceable Palm Oil.  At the rate that the rainforest is being destroyed to make way for Palm Oil plantations, orangutans are estimated to be extinct in 5-10 years. The Pigmy Elephant, Sumatran Tiger, Clouded Leopard, over 300,000 species of animals' existences are threatened through the deforestation caused by the Palm Oil trade.  Poachers are also reaping the benefits of a more sparse rainforest and capturing animals with disregard for their humane treatment.  Tribal communities who once lived in harmony with the forest have little other option than support themselves through working on the plantations.  Finally, this industry is causing major environmental damage.  The CO2 released via peat moss burning is almost unrivaled. It not only effects the atmosphere in close vicinity, but permeates to the point in which it "significantly contributes to climate change"(1).   Having read online in a letter from Hazel in customer relations, that 'most of your Palm Oil comes from small farms in South America... but its impossible for us to ensure that all of our palm oil is sourced this way', we ask that you cease to carry products from untraceable sources. While this is a good start, its not 'impossible' to abstain from purchasing a product with an unclear track record.  We value that you seem to strive to care about your customers, and the global environment.  We believe you not to be corporate slime, and this is one of the reasons we choose to spend our money at your store. We ask that you refrain from stocking Indonesian, Malaysian, new plantations and any untraceable Palm Oil products so that our choice to continue shopping at Trader Joe's doesn't conflict with our greater world concern. We write to you, because we have hope in Trader Joe's. Thank you. 1: https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/topics/palm-oil​ http://www.saynotopalmoil.com/Whats_the_issue.php​ http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/forests/palm_oil/palm_oil_and_deforestation/​ http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/solutions/stop-deforestation/palm-oil-and-forests.html#.V5Ac3VIoFSU​ https://gettingonmysoapbox.wordpress.com/2015/01/28/trader-joes-apparently-gets-its-palm-oil-from-south-america/ Photo Credit: https://news.mongabay.com/2012/05/pictures-mama-and-baby-orangutan-saved-from-palm-oil-developers/