barong said:

While I agree with the fair trade principle, the end consumers are getting seriously ripped off, and the growers aren't getting any more money when you pay 10 times the retail price than a comparable product.

Don't want to believe it? Then check these links.

1. The Fair Trade Standards document, which is the current agreement in place, showing the price of regular cocoa being $2000/tonne for regular beans.

http://www.fairtrade.net/fileadmin/user_upload/content/2009/standards/documents/2012-10-01_EN_CocoaPremium_StandardsAnnouncement.pdf

2. Now check the official daily commodity value of beans, and you will see that it's over $2300/tonne.

http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=cocoa-beans

Effectively, Fair Trade partners are being paid less. You, on the other hand, have been royally screwed by paying $70 for what started as 2.5 cents of raw product. Some people are doing well out of this scam, but it's not the ones in developing countries, it's the wealthy western executives behind the rort

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barong said:

American jobs, what are you talking about? Fair Trade don't protect American workers rights, the government should be doing that. Plus, commercial cocoa bean production is in countries such as Ghana, Brazil, Bolivia and even areas of asia (indonesia and southern india grow cocoa, i have seen it for myself)

The only Americans you are supporting by buying Fair trade products at a 1200% markup are the ones who own yachts and drive a Mercedes.

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But what about the ones making the chocolate or working in  the store.....possible for minimum wage

Almond Flour said:

Is it crazy to spend that much for 24 servings of hot chocolate. BUT Its fair trade, and quality stuff! Like 73% coco!

Its not crazy right! Thats only $3 a serving

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Don't listen to the naysayers.  If you liked it and it were something you did out of kindness, then $70 is not that much to spend on 24 people..

If you bought it for yourself then your just a greedy selfish bastard.