There is so much happening in the social eating realm right now that a news round-up is warranted as the main post of the week. (“This Week in Social Eating” posts are sometimes published mid-week.)

Get ready! Some exciting news ahead:

October is Fair Trade Month! Global Exchange came up with 31 ways to get involved with the fair trade movement.

Were you one of the first 1,000 to play Equal Exchange’s Candy Bar game? If so, one of each of their new candy bars should be on its way to your house! It’s not to late to receive free (fair trade and organic!) candy bars, though! Play the game for a chance to win one of the candy bar baskets that will be awarded between now and April 1, 2013.

Hershey is making some BIG changes! Under pressure from campaigns like Raise the Bar, Hershey!, Hershey announces plans to use 100% fair trade certified cocoa by the year 2020. 

Want to fair trade your Halloween? Equal Exchange is offering a Halloween Kit this year, available in Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate with a Hint of Hazelnut.

Take the Go Bananas Challenge for a chance to win tickets to the Fair Trade Campaigns Conference or a year’s supply of Ben and Jerry’s. Not sure why buying fair trade bananas matters? Check this out (specifically page 9 and 10). Can’t find fair trade bananas at your local grocer? Take a couple of minutes to search out the online comment card and request them.