We all love chocolate! That sweet, delicious treat that comes in so many shapes and sizes.
The journey of chocolate starts with a tiny bean called a cocoa bean, and these beans grow on cocoa trees in hot, humid places around the world. One of the biggest producers of cocoa beans is Ivory Coast, a country in Africa.
Here’s where things get a little complicated. While chocolate companies are making a lot of money selling chocolate bars and candies, the farmers who grow the cocoa beans are struggling. Many cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast barely have enough money to buy food and clothes for themselves and their families. Their houses might not have roofs or windows, and their children might not be able to go to school.
It’s not fair that the people who grow the main ingredient in our favorite chocolate treats can’t afford a good life.
People are working to make things better for cocoa farmers. Some chocolate companies are trying to pay farmers more money for their beans. Others are helping farmers learn new ways to grow cocoa trees and harvest the beans. But there’s still a long way to go.