Since my last update I’ve spoken again with cocoa farmers from the RICE network (who represent Fair Trade farmers in Côte d'Ivoire, including those affected by Nestlé’s decision).
In our meetings, they explained really powerfully why Fairtrade is so important – not just for the financial security and transparency it brings, but because it puts more power in the hands of farmers like them.
This video they made shows perfectly how, within the Fairtrade system, farmers have a louder, stronger voice when dealing with big companies like Nestle.
Watch their video here: https://youtu.be/9vPaN80rzRY
Please share it if you can too – let’s help more people understand why Fairtrade matters so much to these farmers.
I have another positive update– Nestlé have now met with RICE and heard their questions and concerns around the lack of clarity of payment and power they’ll have in future.
Who knows what will come of this, but I really don’t think this meeting would have happened at all if it weren’t for all of your support, so thank you.
But now, with an incredible 282,000+ of you signing this petition, and everyone from farmers to MPs calling on Nestle to reconsider their terrible decision, it’s time for a final push to make them listen.
It’s nearly time to hand in this petition and show Nestle how much their customers care about this.
I plan to do this in a few weeks' time, when the final KitKats using Fairtrade cocoa roll off the production line and the new cocoa harvest begins in Côte d'Ivoire.
I’ll need your support on that day to make sure our message is heard loud and clear, so please stay tuned for updates
In the meantime, please do watch and share that brilliant video from RICE.
Watch their video here: https://twitter.com/ricequitable/status/1301114296118714369
Thank you!
Joanna