20th Annual Chocolate Festival

On 2 March, the Zonta Club of Melbourne, FL, USA, hosted its 20th Annual Chocolate Festival—an event that began as a simple fundraising idea and has since evolved into a powerful educational platform raising awareness about human trafficking in the cocoa industry.

The festival, created by longtime Zontian Christine Tomasetti, invites local pastry chefs and restaurateurs to compete for the title of “Brevard’s Best Chocolate Fix,” drawing community members, sponsors and supporters to sample confections and cast their votes. But beyond the indulgence lies a deeper purpose: educating the public about ethical chocolate sourcing and child exploitation in the cocoa supply chain.

After learning that millions of cocoa beans, especially those from West Africa, are harvested by trafficked children—some as young as five—the club faced a turning point. Rather than cancel the event, they chose to transform it. The club decided to use the festival as a platform to inform the public and promote change.

Now, all participating competitors are required to use ethically sourced or slave-free chocolate. Educational booths inform attendees on how to identify certifications like Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ. A dedicated table also raises awareness of Zonta International’s mission to empower women and girls worldwide.

Throughout the day, videos such as CBS News’ report on child labor in the chocolate industry were screened, sparking important conversations among guests. Informational materials and social media outreach have helped spread awareness far beyond the event itself.

This event not only showcases what we do for our local community—it also brings global issues like trafficking to the forefront.

The club continues to push major chocolate producers like Hershey and Mars for transparency and action. Despite repeated promises, timelines for fully slave-free production continue to be delayed—making Zonta’s advocacy more vital than ever.