In this episode, we head to York, England, where Nestle’s UK KitKat bars are manufactured. Here, we speak with the campaigner who successfully brought international attention to Nestle’s decision to drop Fairtrade certification. 

When Nestle first announced the decision, Joanna Pollard, Coordinator of Fairtrade Yorkshire, sent Nestle a letter urging them to change course. She received no response. So, Joanna wrote another letter to Nestle—except this one also included the signatures of over 300,000 people from around the world who were joining in solidarity with cocoa farmers. That letter received a response from Nestle—and it also brought them to the negotiating table. While the fight is far from over, Joanna’s organizing efforts serve as a reminder of our collective strength when we join together in solidarity. When it comes to holding multinational corporations accountable, not one of us is powerful enough on our own, but when we organize together we can build that power. 

Feeling inspired to take action? Add your name to our petition and help us send a resounding message to the world’s biggest chocolate companies: it’s time to end the systemic exploitation of cocoa farmers and address the root causes of child labor in West African cocoa: https://fairworldproject.salsalabs.org/end-child-labor-in-cocoa/index.html

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