NYSUT and the NYS Labor-Religion Coalition, a non-profit group that works with the union for social and economic justice, are supporting a new national education campaign to raise awareness about child labor and trafficking in the cocoa industry, and promoting the Fair Trade alternative.
Part of the campaign uses Halloween to draw attention to children trapped in a cycle of exploitation across the globe. Last year, students and families across the state used Reverse Trick-or-Treating to raise awareness about economic injustices.
The program has schoolchildren treat neighbors to Fair Trade chocolate and educate them about the human rights, child labor and environmental abuses in the cocoa industry.
On Halloween, children can hand out a small bar of Fair Trade chocolate with a card that explains how buying Fair Trade chocolate can make a difference. Reverse Trick-or-Treating kits are available at a discounted wholesale price, thanks to Fair Trade chocolate companies like Equal Exchange.
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Please request kits for organizations with multiple groups of Trick-or-Treaters Oct. 1–8 (unless supplies run out sooner). Price is $24 per box of 150 cards/chocolates (maximum 2 boxes per organization) + shipping. For more information go to www.reversetrickortreating.org.
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Students can take part without giving candy by distributing Reverse Trick-or-Treating fliers on Halloween.
Download fliers at www.reversetrickortreating.org.
For details on the full campaign, go to www.nysut.org.