In North America, Halloween is coming up with ghosts, witches and other evil creatures wandering the streets, knocking on the doors of unsuspecting citizens and asking for a treat in exchange for not performing wicked tricks – an unfair trade indeed.

This year, there also will be kinder beings going from door to door: Fairtrade volunteers. Global Exchange in partnership with other NGOs is organizing an outreach event on Halloween called “Reverse Trick’n’Treating”. The idea is not to ask for treats, but to give them out. The volunteers, dressed in their Halloween costumes, will hand out Fairtrade chocolates and an information card on poverty and child labour problems in the cocoa industry, and how Fairtrade certified chocolate provides a solution. The event introduces Fairtrade to people in an innovative and fun way.

In Canada, about 1000 volunteers will take part in Reverse Trick’n’Treating this year, Reykia Fick, the Canadian coordinator of the event at TransFair Canada, estimates. Other organizations involved include Engineers Without Borders and World University Services of Canada. About 20,000 mini chocolates will be given out, courtesy of Canadian Fairtrade companies such as Cocoa Camino and Just Us.

Story written by: Sini Maury