As Halloween approaches and candy cravings go up I thought it’d be helpful to compile a list of brands to look out for this season. These brands are available year-round, but candy is always on the brain during this time of year (for me at least!). So, read on to learn about options available to satisfy your sustainable candy cravings this Halloween.
Why should you choose sustainable candy?
There are a multitude of reasons why you should choose sustainable candy! Although candy is a sweet treat, the reality of its production is often anything but sweet. Chocolate production historically has caused a lot of environmental and social harm, with many companies using child labor or not paying fair wages. For a more in-depth look at the negative side of chocolate production, you can read more here, here, and here.
From ethical wages and labor practices to responsible farming and packaging finding eco-friendly alternatives to conventional candy products is truly important. To support an equitable, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible world even the candy we eat needs to be made better.
Sustainable candy options to try:
When looking for more ethical and sustainable candy options I look for a few things. Third-party certifications, ingredients, and packaging types are all important components that make some options better than others. Overall, remember what’s more important to you and try to find options in line with that!
If you care more about packaging waste, opt for an option with alternative packaging or recycled materials. If you care more about allergens or ethical ingredients, it’ll be more important to find companies catering to that. Whatever the case, I’ve highlighted key aspects of each brand below. Many offer individually-wrapped candy too – perfect for trick-or-treaters!
- B Corp certified
- Fair Trade certified ingredients
- 100% plant-based
- USDA Organic certified
- Transparent about traceability and ethically sourcing ingredients
- Single-origin chocolate
- Certified vegan and major allergy friendly
- Rainforest Alliance certified
- Partner with 1% for the Planet
- USDA Organic certified
- Allergy-friendly and wide array of candies
- USDA Organic certified
- Uses Fair Trade certified cocoa
- Most products are vegan
- Packaging made in a LEED-certified facility
- Certified USDA Organic
- Certified Direct Trade
- Provide yearly transparency reports
- 100% vegan
- Pay above fair trade price for cocoa
- Fairtrade certified
- Many vegan options that are clearly marked as such
- 4Ocean certified
- Green E certified
- Annual donations to conservation efforts and charity partners
- 100% traceable ingredients
- Single-origin chocolate
- 100% vegan
- Farmers paid 5x the normal amount for a cocoa farmer
- Certified Direct Trade
- Member of 1% for the Planet
- USDA Organic certified
- Allergy-friendly and wide array of candies
- Some vegan products
- Certified gluten-free
- Fair Trade certified
- Large selection of vegan options
- FSC paper packaging
- Farmer-owned company
- Certified B Corp
- Made in small batches
- USDA Organic certified
- Vegan options
- Certified gluten-free
- Certified kosher
- Climate Neutral certified
- Truffles have compostable packaging
- B Corp certified
- Fair for Life certified
- USDA Organic certified
- Authentic Fair Trade
- Co-op owned
- Many vegan options
- USDA Organic certified
- Mostly recyclable packaging
- Some certified vegan options
- USDA Organic certified
- Fairtrade certified
- Certified gluten-free
- Commercially compostable packaging
- Fair for Life certified
- USDA Organic certified
- Provides annual impact reports
- Some vegan options
- Some plant-based packaging options
- Sponsor of Trees.org
- Biodegradable options
- All products are vegan and gluten-free
- Allergy-friendly
- Tooth-friendly gum made with xylitol
- Fair Trade certified
- Several vegan options
- Products made in the USA and Canada
- Less sugar than conventional candy
- Some certified gluten-free products