Monday, October 25, 2010

What can you give trick or treaters instead of Nestle products?

Food items like:
  • fair-trade chocolate
  • fruit leather
  • honey stick
  • YummyEarth lollipops
  • Clifbar Zbars or Twisted Fruit
  • snack-size packs of things like pretzels or Annie's Cheddar Bunnies
  • EnviroKidz crispy rice treats 
  • Juice boxes (not Juicy-Juice!)
Non-food items like:
  • fancy erasers
  • pencil grips
  • pencils
  • stickers
  • wiki stix
  • silly bandz
  • temporary tattoos
  • bouncy balls
Before you hit the store, print and bring this list of Halloween Nestle products to avoid when shopping for trick-or-treats.

Be sure to print out these No Nestle wrappers to put on anything you give out to let people know your home is a Nestle-free zone! Thanks to Munchkin Designs for creating them for us (please keep them in mind for your next party- they do custom mini-size and full-size candy wrappers).

Friday, October 22, 2010

Boo! Nestle Twitter Party

Join us on Sunday, October 24 from 9 pm to 10 pm (EST) for the Boo! Nestle Twitter Party to kick off International Nestle Free Week. We'll be talking about:
  • why Nestlé deserves to be boo'ed
  • alternatives to Nestlé products
  • unique Hallowe'en treats that are fun and ethical
Follow the #nonestle stream to learn and share your ideas (you might want to use our custom TweetGrid http://is.gd/ggI97 to make following the conversation easier) - plus have a chance at some great prizes including:
Co-hosted by Annie Urban (@phdinparenting), Danielle Friedland (@that_danielle), Amy Gates (@crunchygoddess), Elita (@Blacktating), Bettina Forbes (@BestforBabes) and Michelle Branco (@doudoubebe). Mike Brady (@mikebradyuk) has been invited to answer questions.

Spread the word by tweeting:
  • Looking for alternatives to Nestle #Halloween treats? Attend the #NoNestle twitter party Sun 9pEST. RSVP http://ht.ly/2XZil PLS RT
  • Looking for ethical Halloween treats? Attend the #NoNestle twitter party Sun 9pEST. RSVP http://ht.ly/2XZil PLS RT
  • Looking for ethical & healthy Halloween treats? Attend the #NoNestle twitter party Sun 9pEST. RSVP http://ht.ly/2XZil PLS RT
  • Want a Nestle-free #Halloween but don't know where to start? Attend the #NoNestle twitter party Sun 9pEST. RSVP http://ht.ly/2XZil PLS RT
  • I'm saying #NoNestle this #Halloween. Find out why! Sun 9pEST. RSVP http://ht.ly/2XZil #NoNestle PLS RT
  • I'll be tweeting abt fun & ethical #Halloween treats Sun 9pEST. RSVP http://ht.ly/2XZil #NoNestle PLS RT
  • Tweet w me Sun 9pEST to learn about Nestle-free alternatives for #Halloween. Just say #NoNestle! http://ht.ly/2XZil PLS RT
Did you miss the party? Here's what we tweeted. Feel free to retweet any/all of these messages!

Q1 Why are we booing Nestle? What, if anything, have you heard about the 30-year Nestle boycott? #noNestle
  • Nestle is accused by experts of many unethical business practices + have been boycotted internationally for the last 30 years. #noNestle
  • Nestle is the 4th most boycotted brand (after Nike, Coca Cola and McDonald’s). #noNestle
  • Nestle aggressively promotes infant formula w misleading + harmful strategies that put babies at risk + violate the WHO Code. #noNestle
  • Nestle uses suppliers that violate human rights (e.g purchasing milk from Mugabe, buying cocoa frm suppliers that use child slaves) #noNestle
  • Nestle also uses suppliers that destroy the environment (e.g. palm oil from rainforest) #noNestle
  • Nestle controls + abuses water sources in its bottled water operations #noNestle
  • Nestle promotes unhealthy food, especially for young children #noNestle
  • Nestle is responsible for trade union busting activities + denying the rights of workers to collectively bargain #noNestle
  • People around the world have been boycotting Nestle for the last 30 years tho Nestle tries to deny it. http://bit.ly/d1qPKO #noNestle
  • Last year @phdinparenting asked Nestle to explain certain things but their answers were full of doublespeak. http://bit.ly/9ovieb #nonestle
  • When laws don’t exist or fail to hold Nestle to account, it takes public action to force Nestle to change. #noNestle
  • What can we do? Boycott Nestle brands, help spread the word abt their unethical business practices. #noNestle
  • What else can we do? Put pressure on govt to pass legislation to prevent these practices. #noNestle
Q2 What #Halloween-related products does Nestle make? #noNestle
  • Nestle owns a lot of brands & is the biggest food company in the world so you need to do a little homework b4 shopping. #noNestle
  • Get a comprehensive Nestle product boycott list prepared by @CrunchyDomesticGoddess http://bit.ly/9urc2z #noNestle
  • Making pumpkin pie? Use generic or Trader Joe brand canned pumpkin instead of Libby's which is owned by Nestle. #noNestle
  • Popular Nestle #candy brands: Butterfinger, Crunch, Kit Kat, Wonka, Raisinets, Goobers, Baby Ruth, Aero, Smarties, Sno-Caps #noNestle
  • Nestle also owns: Wonka, Pixy Stix, Gobstoppers, Spree, Laffy Taffy, Nerds, Fun Dip, Runts, SweeTarts, Gummies, Harry Potter candy #noNestle
  • Print & bring this list of #Halloween #Nestle products to avoid when shopping. http://bit.ly/b4K1H7 #noNestle
  • Other Nestle brands incl formula & baby food such as Good Start formula, Gerber, Gerber Graduates. #noNestle
  • Nestle also owns MOST bottled water brands like Arrowhead, Deer Park, Poland Spring, Perrier AND San Pellegrino. #noNestle
  • Nestle also owns dairy products (Coffee-Mate, Dreyers, Haagen-Dazs, Drumstick), Hot Pockets, Buitoni, Stouffer’s, Lean Cuisine #noNestle
  • Nestle also owns: breakfast items incl Carnation Instant Breakfast, coffee & beverages like Nescafe, Juicy-Juice, Nesquik, Nestea #noNestle
  • Nestle also owns: pet brands like Alpo, Purina, Cat/Dog Chow, Fancy Feast, Friskies. #noNestle
  • Nestle also owns: nutrition + health brands like Jenny Craig, Power Bar. #noNestle
  • Nestle owns SO many brands. Check this list to see if yr favorite products are on it. http://bit.ly/9urc2z #noNestle
Q3 What are some alternatives to give to trick-or-treaters on #Halloween? #noNestle
  • Print & bring this list of #Halloween #Nestle products w you when shopping for trick-or-treats. http://bit.ly/b4K1H7 #noNestle
  • What #Halloween candy brands does Nestle own? US http://bit.ly/aSf6r3 Canada http://bit.ly/aDRGUY #noNestle
  • Kids like money! Some may also be collecting for UNICEF. #noNestle
  • Trick or treaters will like fair-trade chocolate, fruit leather, honey sticks, @YummyEarth lollipops, @Clifbar Zbars or Twisted Fruit #noNestle
  • Trick or treaters will like snack-size packets of pretzels or @AnniesHomeGrown Cheddar Bunnies, @EnviroKidz crispy rice treats #noNestle
  • Trick or treaters will like non-food items like fancy erasers, pencil grips, pencils, wiki stix, silly bandz, temporary tattoos, bouncy balls #noNestle
  • More #green #Halloween tips at greenhalloween.org & via @bostonmamas http://bit.ly/dslmLo #noNestle
Q4 How can you support the boycott + teach others about Nestle's unethical business practices? #noNestle
  • Print the #BooNestle candy wrappers @MunchkinDesigns made for us to let ppl know yr home is a #noNestle zone. http://bit.ly/96bApg
  • Lead by example: boycott the brands owned by Nestle in the United States + Canada. #noNestle
  • Lead by example: Participate in Nestle-Free Week from October 26th to November 1st. #noNestle
  • Lead by example: Participate in a boycott of Nestle Halloween candy. #noNestle
  • Boycott +/or complain about formula advertising from Nestle when you see it in magazines, in Google ads, other advertising. #noNestle
  • Send an e-mail to nestlefamilyinfo@casupport.com + let them know why you are boycotting their products.
  • Bloggers: write yr own post telling people abt yr concerns w Nestle + let them know what you are doing about it. #noNestle
  • Post on Facebook: I'm not buying Nestle candy this Halloween - here's why: boonestle.com #noNestle
  • Tweet abt it using the hashtag #nonestle. Feel free to use our suggested messages. http://bit.ly/94hP0q #noNestle
  • Print posters to hang on yr door to let those in yr community know that u're participating in the boycott + why.  http://ht.ly/2XfCD #noNestle
  • Email your friends about why you're not buying Nestle products this #Halloween. http://bit.ly/dBTDJu #noNestle
  • Print the #BooNestle candy wrappers @MunchkinDesigns made for us to let ppl know yr home is a #noNestle zone. http://bit.ly/96bApg
  • Print these signs to hang on yr door to let those in yr community know that u're participating in the boycott + why.  http://ht.ly/2XfCD #noNestle
  • Email your friends about why you're not buying Nestle products this #Halloween. http://bit.ly/dBTDJu #noNestle
  • Print the #BooNestle candy wrappers @MunchkinDesigns made for us to let ppl know yr home is a #noNestle zone. http://bit.ly/96bApg
Many thanks for prizes frm: @hopscotchkids @munchkindesigns @bugalug @babysteals @newmoonkitchen #noNestle
Many thanks for prizes frm: @villagesouttawa @bestforbabes @doudoubebe @mabelhood #noNestle
We'll be talking abt Nestle-free week all week long. Follow the hashtag #noNestle to learn more & participate. #noNestle


RSVP by entering your twitter handle below.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Nestle-free Zone candy wrappers

We are grateful to Lisa Komer of Munchkin Designs who created these Nestle-free Zone candy wrappers for us. Simply print out this page on regular or sticky-backed paper, cut them out and tape onto any candy or snack bar. They are perfectly sized for the mini-sized bars that many brand offer but will also work on most trick-or-treat items. We suggest you put these over the regular wrapper so parents (and kids) know what's inside. (Also, it should go without saying but just in case... don't put them on Nestle-brand products because it kind of defeats the purpose.)

Download: Nestle-free Zone candy wrappers (10.3 MB)

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Tweet About the Boycott

We've prepared these tweets that you can use to spread the word on Twitter.
  • Are your kids little activists? Reverse trick-or-treating might be for them: http://su.pr/1wg8ZG #noNestle
  • At @VillagesOttawa, they educate consumers about the benefits of fair trade, e.g. this Divine Chocolate video http://su.pr/356fqr #noNestle
  • RSVP for International Nestle-Free Week on Facebook: http://su.pr/1nwTHp #NoNestle
  • End Chocolate Slavery. Have a Fair Trade Halloween. http://su.pr/1AChKk #NoNestle
  • Not sure yet if you want to boycott Nestle? Give it a try for a week: http://su.pr/2bcwAR #noNestle
  • Ask Nestle + other chocolate producers to make ALL of their chocolate slave-free http://su.pr/2WkCTk #noNestle
  • Learn about the Nestle boycott and how you can support it http://su.pr/1JSLfj #noNestle
  • The Nestle boycott isn't just about infant formula. Learn more: http://su.pr/54AgLm
  • The Nestle Critics portal provides info from numerous NGOs on how + why they protest Nestle http://su.pr/2Q4zD8 #NoNestle
  • Nestle owns more brands that most people realize. Learn which ones so you can avoid them: http://su.pr/2lOKb4 #NoNestle
  • Nestle says its formula "protects babies". Learn why that is wrong + send Nestle an e-mail. http://su.pr/2ACwuk #NoNestle
  • "We sell water, so we have to be clever" says Nestle. Read more @StopNestleWaters http://su.pr/1vn2NV #noNestle
  • In 1984, Nestle agreed to comply w/ WHO Code regulating the marketing of breastmilk substitutes. 26yrs later, it still doesn't. #NoNestle
  • Mothers and babies need you to keep up the pressure on Nestlé now more than ever http://su.pr/8oHAoM #NoNestle
  • Find great alternatives to Halloween candy on @CrunchyGoddess blog: http://su.pr/2sD9wA #noNestle
  • Great to see health professionals supporting anti-Nestle advocacy. Love this comment from @SeattleMamaDoc http://su.pr/16gBVt #noNestle
  • I'm disgusted by Nestle's claims that it is the "Gold Standard" in infant nutrition. http://su.pr/57cKga #noNestle
  • Get a Fair Trade Trick or Treat Action Kit http://su.pr/1kSzu0 #noNestle
  • Foreign Policy Blogs: What should really scare you this Halloween http://su.pr/82ulDg #noNestle
  • Read how Nestle shifts blame for infant deaths http://su.pr/2qkEFF #noNestle

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Are You Boycotting Nestle?

If you visited this blog but aren't planning to boycott Nestle in any capacity, please tell us why in the comments.

Call to Action

What can you do?

Besides not buying Nestlé products yourself, here's what else you can do:  
  • If you use Facebook and other social networking sites, share this message as your status update: I'm not buying Nestlé candy this Halloween - here's why: http://ht.ly/2XfCD
  • If you blog, let your readers know that you won't be buying Nestlé this October and why. Link back here and let us know so we can list you on the blogroll.
  • If you use twitter, tweet the following messages: There's no Nestlé KitKat in my candy bowl and here's why: http://ht.ly/2XfEu #nonestle, Nestlé is too scary for me http://ht.ly/2XfEu #nonestle
  • Join in the discussion of the Nestlé Halloween boycott on Twitter by using the hashtag #nonestle.
  • Print stickers and posters to let those in your community know that you're participating in the boycott and why.  

    What Did Nestlé Do To Deserve a Boycott?

    Nestlé is a major player in the world, selling products that range from breakfast cereals to coffee. But there are two main areas that Nestlé is the most known for: infant formula and candy. Unfortunately, it is in these two areas that Nestlé has not only made the most money, but also created the most damage world wide.

    You may recall as a child a mass boycott of Nestlé and their many brands. Perhaps your parents joined the boycott, perhaps you're still boycotting Nestlé today, or perhaps you weren't aware at all. In any case, the boycott ended in 1984 but was reinstated in 1988 because Nestlé did not live up to the promises it made. The boycott is is still active today.

        •    CRIMES AGAINST BABIES: Nestlé contributes to the unnecessary death and suffering of infants around the world by aggressively marketing baby foods in developing nations, in breach of the World Health Organization's international marketing standards. Nestlé says they don't market to parents but they market aggressively to medical professionals and provide free formula to hospitals. Parents are convinced to use formula instead of breastfeeding and by the time their free supply of the formula runs out, mothers' ability to breastfeed has disappeared and Nestlé has a paying customer at the expense of a child's health and life.

        •    Regardless of how you feel about the use of formula in your life, it's important to understand that in the developing world, the difference between formula and breastfeeding can mean life or death to infants due to the lack of availability of clean water, lack of means of sterilizing bottles and that parents are often unable to prepare bottles to minimum specifications because they can either not read their own language or read the English directions on the label. Additionally, because formula is so expensive, many parents water down the formula to make canisters last longer. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.5 million infants die around the world every year because they are not breastfed.

        •    CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN: Nestlé is one of the major cocoa importers that still sources its cocoa beans from the Ivory Coast. According to the US State Department, there are approximately 109,000 children working in the country's cocoa industry under slave-like conditions. Nestlé promised in 2001 to make its chocolate "child labor-free" by 2005 but that promise was broken and the deadline ignored.

        •    CRIMES AGAINST COMMUNITIES: Nestlé is also guilty of pilfering public water supplies worldwide for profit, wreaking damage on the environment as well as communities. Their water mining operations have caused damage to watersheds after assuring rural communities they would be "good corporate neighbors." Small towns that refused to throw open their water supplies to Nestlé have been targeted with litigation designed to bully and bankrupt. For more information, visit http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=240

    Window Signs

    Print and hang these signs in your windows or on your doors to let trick or treaters and their parents know that your home or business is Nestle-free. Just click, save and print.
    Signs created by @doudoubebe.

    Letter to your friends

    Tell your friends about the Boo Nestle boycott by copying and pasting the text from this letter.

    Shopping List

    Print and bring this list of Nestle-owned candy and chocolate brands NOT to avoid you when you go shopping for Halloween treats.

    Monday, October 12, 2009

    Nestle Candy Brands to Avoid

    Here are the US-distributed candy brands to avoid:*


        •    100 Grand
        •    Aero
        •    Baby Ruth
        •    Bit-O-Honey
        •    Butterfinger
        •    Carlos V
        •    Chunky
        •    Goobers
        •    Harry Potter Brand Candy
        •    Kit Kat
        •    Laffy Taffy
        •    Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip
        •    Nerds
        •    Nestlé Abuelita Chocolate
        •    Nestlé Crunch including Crisp, Miniature, and Buncha
        •    Nips
        •    Oh Henry!
        •    Orion
        •    Pixy Stix
        •    Raisinets
        •    Runts
        •    Smarties
        •    Sno-Caps
        •    Spree
        •    SweeTarts
        •    Wonka Products (Pixy Stix, Gobstoppers, Spree, Laffy Taffy, Nerds incl Nerds Rainbow Rope, Fun Dip, Runts, SweeTarts, Shockers, Mix-Ups, Wonka Bar, Tinglerz, Kazoozles, Gummies, Harry Potter-branded candy)

    Also, if you’re having a Halloween party, avoid these brands that you might use for party food:
    • Nestle Toll House (chocolate chips, refrigerated cookie dough)
    • Juicy Juice
    • Coffee-Mate
    • Dreyer’s
    • Haagen-Dazs
    • Jamba Ready-to-Drink
    • La Lechera (condensed milk)
    • Nescafe
    • Nestea
    • Nestle Abuelita chocolate
    • Nestle Crunch Ice Cream and Dibs
    • Nestle Hot Cocoa
    • Taster’s Choice
    • YoCrunch yogurt
    • Water: 
      • Pure Life
      • Aqua Pod
      • Arrowhead
      • Calistoga
      • Deer Park
      • Ice Mountain
      • Montclair
      • Nestle Pure Life
      • Ozarka
      • Poland Springs
      • Zephryhills
    * The above lists the relevant brands Nestle manufactures themselves but there are many other products and brands they are involved with distributing, licensing (such as Kit-Kat) or have partial ownership of in the US and globally so there may be other products in the Halloween aisle but at least this is a start.

    If you’re in Canada, visit INFACT Canada for a list of their Canadian-distributed brands.

    If you'd like to avoid ALL Nestle brands, visit Crunchy Domestic Goddess for a comprehensive list.

    Saturday, October 10, 2009

    Links

    For more information on the Nestlé Boycott and related issues check these links:

    What is Boo Nestle?

    Participation in a campaign as far-reaching as the Nestle Boycott can be overwhelming.

    But it's exactly because so many of the products we feed our families are made by Nestle that we can help protect vulnerable children and families around the world with our action.

    So this Halloween take one concrete step: don't buy any Nestle candy for the ghouls and goblins knocking at your door.

    Disqus for Boo Nestle