Where To Find Ethically Made Chocolate Buying fair trade takes a stand for a system that treats everyone with respect.

Many times, chocolate is oh-so-much more than just candy. In its natural form, it’s a superfood packed with antioxidants and cardiovascular benefits, and studies show chocolate boosts energy, reduces stress, increases concentration and even improves maternal health. This playful, nutrient-dense treat is the perfect pick-me-up and superfood recharge.

“When we buy fair trade products, we are casting a vote for the ethical treatment of the laborers around the world who are responsible for the food we eat.”

So we know chocolate is good for us. But what about the farmers who grow it? The International Labor Organization estimates that there are millions of child laborers working to produce many of our everyday purchases such as coffee and cocoa. As you might imagine, forced laborers are exploited for their work, forced to work long hours with little or no pay, and have little rights.

When we buy fair trade products, we are casting a vote for the ethical treatment of the laborers around the world who are responsible for the food we eat. Fair trade sourcing means not only are workers paid fairly but also they have safe and environmentally-friendly working conditions.

These conscious chocolate brands have made it an integral part of their mission to develop mutually beneficial partnerships by employing fair trade and direct trade practices with the farmers who cultivate their cocoa crops. Oh—and they make delicious good-for-you chocolate.

You might also like our guide to healthy organic meal kit delivery services and fair trade coffee.


1. Alter Eco Foods

Best For | Truffle lovers, eco-friendly practices Price Per Bar | $2.99–$4.99

Alter Eco is a certified B Corporation. They are certified Fair Trade, non-GMO and organic, and they also use compostable packaging and offset carbon emissions by planting thousands of trees within their supply chains. Their fair trade truffles and chocolates are crafted with pure, good-fat-rich superfood, coconut oil. And with no preservatives, no soy, or no palm kernel oil. These little bundles of yummy decadent joy have everything you love—and are also good for you and the planet.

Shop Alter Eco Chocolate

Also available at: Hive | Thrive Market


2. Theo Chocolate

Best For | Social impact, variety of flavors Price Per Bar | $2.99–$3.99

Theo Chocolate is dedicated to making our world a better place, and they’re finding ways to do it through their passion for cocoa. Their commitment to social and environmental responsibility has led them to partner with organizations like Eastern Congo Initiative, the Jane Goodall Institute, and the World Bicycle Relief. As the first organic and fair trade chocolate factory in the country, Theo Chocolate’s founding principle is that the finest artisan chocolate in the world can (and should) be produced in an entirely ethical, sustainable fashion.

Shop Theo Chocolate

Also available at: Hive | Sprouts


3. Evolved

Best For | True dark chocolate lovers (72%-100% cocoa) Price Per Bar | $2.79–$4.99

All Evolved chocolate is free of gluten, dairy, or soy. In fact, they use the fewest ingredients physically possible to create chocolate. No junk, no fillers, just the highest quality, fair trade cacao lightly sweetened with organic maple sugar directly sourced from Maple producers in Vermont and Canada. Evolved’s guiding principle is “Chocolate: It’s Food, Not Candy.” When chocolate is done right, it’s a delicious, antioxidant-rich superfood.

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Also available at: Thrive Market


4. UnReal

Best For | Gluten-, corn-, & soy-free candy Price Per Bag | $1.99–$9.99

UnReal is on a mission to unjunk the world by reinventing America’s favorite foods. They started with M&Ms® and Reese’s®, making them without junk and less sugar but with better taste. Every ingredient they use is non-GMO, always real, and never artificial. No gluten, corn, or soy. UnReal uses sustainably sourced and fair trade ingredients. Every bite truly does taste unreal. Watch the founder’s TED Talk to learn more!

Shop UnReal Chocolate

Also available at: Hive | Thrive Market


5. Equal Exchange

Best For | Chocolate minis Price Per Bar | $2.99–$6.99

Equal Exchange‘s mission is to build long-term local partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, and to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers through fair trade practices. Their chocolates and cocoas are crafted using USDA certified organic ingredients, grown with care by small farmer co-ops. We especially love the boxes of 150 minis to keep on our desks for a sweet treat every so often!

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6. Dapaah

Best For | Vegan chocolate Where To Buy | Online Price Per Bar | £9.99

Ghana produces 20 percent of the entire world’s supply of cocoa, and it’s about time they were recognized globally for it! Dapaah, run by the Dapaah siblings, is a locally sourced business that works directly with the organic cacao trade throughout the country. Each bar, though vegan, is milky, rich, and especially decadent—and it’s even sweeter to know that their practices are fair trade and farmers are paid sizable wages through a profit share model.

Shop Dapaah Chocolate


7. Endangered Species Chocolate

Best For | Nature & animal lovers Price Per Bar | $2.39–$5.29

With each chocolate bar, Endangered Species Chocolate is protecting diversity of life on our planet and promoting true global change. Endangered Species Chocolate donates 10 percent of profits to partner organizations that support species conservation, habitat preservation and humanitarian efforts. Their milk and dark chocolate bars and bites are made with shade-grown cacao and natural fair trade ingredients. Choosing their chocolate is one way you can honor farmers and support sustainable farming practices.

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Also available at: Target | Thrive Market


8. Beyond Good

Best For | Chocolate made entirely in Africa Price Per Bar | $2.99-$4.50

Africa grows 70 percent of the world’s cocoa, yet produces less than one percent of the world’s chocolate. Beyond Good exists to change this by making chocolate entirely on the continent. Beyond Good empowers Madagascan and Ugandan cocoa farmers with skills training and higher wages. So far, they’ve created meaningful income for over 100 people—from chocolate making to packaging production, to the farming of cocoa, spices, and fruits.

Shop Beyond Good Chocolates

Also available at: Hive | Sprouts


9. Loving Earth

Best For | Australian raw chocolate lovers Price Per Bar | $3.50–$8.50

For over a decade, Loving Earth has been dedicated to sourcing and manufacturing the ACO Certified Organic and fair trade raw chocolate. An especially healthy treat, this chocolate contains no cane sugar or dairy and remains completely uncooked and unprocessed. Because the Cacao Beans are not roasted, their natural wealth of phytonutrients remain fully intact. Loving Earth’s raw chocolate contains up to twice the amount of antioxidants of conventionally processed chocolate.

Shop Loving Earth Chocolate

Also available at: Woolworths


10. Phillip Ashley Chocolates

Best For | Designer chocolate boxes Price Per Box | $35–$250

Named the “Willy Wonka of Chocolate” by Forbes and recognized by Oprah Magazine, the James Beard Foundation, and Vogue, Phillip Ashley Rix is a true chocolate connoisseur. Each box of these luxury chocolates are made in small batches using fair trade and premium ingredients, with a focus on seasonal availability and sustainability. They’re the perfect surprise for your Valentine—or to treat yo’self (you deserve it!).

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11. Divine Chocolate

Best For | Milk chocolate lovers, baking bars & powders Price Per Bar | $1.99–$6.99

Divine Chocolate is one of the only certified Fair Trade chocolate companies worldwide that is co-owned by cocoa farmers. This allows co-op members to share in profits and have a larger voice in the cocoa industry. As a certified B Corp, they also prioritize gender equality, women’s professional opportunities, and social entrepreneurship. We love them for their wide selection, availability, and affordable pricing!

Shop Divine Chocolate

Also available at: Thrive Market


The Good Trade editors endorse products we genuinely love. If you end up making a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. Learn more here.


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