OUR TOWN, March, 2007 Last week, the Easter Bunny hopped into Lee's General Store right here on our own Main Street, and into the candy aisle. Which candy for the baskets this year? Fair Trade? Or not Fair Trade? He scratched his head, and then stretched out his gentle paw. Onlookers were stunned to see a celebrity right there, in their neighborhood store. Moments later, the Bunny headed to the checkout stand with a shopping basket full of Fair Trade chocolate.

One eyewitness said "The man next to me said that the suspense was killing him, but I knew the Easter Bunny would choose Fair Trade chocolate. As the Bunny knows...when he buys Fair Trade, not only is he buying a treat that will delight children enjoying their Easter baskets, but he is also giving the gift of education, health care, and adequate food to the children of hard working cocoa farmers. I actually asked the Bunny, I said, "Why do you buy Fair Trade, Mr. Bunny?" He said 'for me, that is the spirit of Easter.'"

Later, a reporter reached the Easter Bunny for comment. "I always choose Fair Trade chocolate," the Bunny said, "I just wish it wasn't so hard to find, but at least now I can understand what kids have to go through when they hunt for their Easter chocolate."

The Easter Bunny continued, "I would like to see the Fair Trade label on every chocolate product on the market. And you can quote me on that. My wife and business partner, Ms. Bunny-Rabbit, agrees. I just don't see how chocolate companies can justify buying non-Fair Trade cocoa. The difference in price is negligible, but Fair Trade farms are audited annually to ensure there is no slavery or abusive child labor. Don't chocolate companies care about the welfare of children? Or are they only out to make a buck?"

The Bunny recommended five activities for those who would like to use Fair Trade chocolate for their own Easter celebrations.

1. What only takes a few moments and makes a SIGNIFICANT impact for children's rights? Sending a free fax to World's Finest Chocolate, asking the company to start sourcing 5% of its cocoa as Fair Trade. The fax is available at www.globalexchange.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=6571&t=ActionCenter.dwt.
2. Choose Fair Trade for all your chocolate gifts and Easter Egg Hunts this Easter! Available at store.gxonlinestore.org.
3. Easter Egg Hunts: (1) Got fun? This rocks! Spring Chocolate Hunt! GX-style... (For kids, youth, adults, and seniors!) (2) Got kids? What would the Easter Bunny do? Fair Trade Easter Egg Hunt!