Brew it Fair - From Campaign Coffee to True Origin Teas
Turning every cup into change
In a moving article for The National last Sunday, Alison Phipps — UNESCO Chair at the University of Glasgow — recalled how her journey into fair trade began as a teenager in the 1980s. At the time, the anti-Apartheid movement was in full swing, boycotts were common, and she and her family refused South African oranges and wine from exploitative vineyards.
But it wasn’t only about avoiding. Alison tells of stirring spoonfuls of the gritty “Campaign Coffee” from Traidcraft — the first fair trade instant coffee available in church stalls and local shops. It wasn’t always pleasant to drink, she admits, but it symbolised something powerful: money being directed to producers who were trying to do good, rather than to those causing harm.
That shift — from boycotting the bad to supporting the good — is at the very heart of Fairtrade Fortnight today and it is such a powerful message, full of hope and solidarity.
From Campaign Coffee to True Origin
Alison’s article highlights how far things have come since those early days. She praises the work of True Origin — now a WFTO Guaranteed social enterprise — calling us “miracle-workers” for how we source directly from smallholder farmers, create jobs here in the UK, and ensure farmers in the Global South earn a fair and reliable income.
As she puts it, this is about business practices that “support small, local, fairly waged suppliers, farmers and producers in the majority world.” It’s a joyous vision — that eating and drinking well can be part of doing good.
Brew It Fair
That’s why this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight theme, “Brew It Fair”, is so inspiring. It reminds us that behind every cup of tea are communities that deserve fairness, dignity, and opportunity.
Our Great Taste award-winning Traidcraft tea and our afternoon tea bundles are THE EASIEST way YOU can take part. They’re not just about enjoying a cuppa — they’re about making sure YOUR cup carries fairness from farm to table. Traidcraft Breakfast Blend Tea (80 tea bags) – True Origin Retail and Bundles – True Origin Retail
We have been busy taking the fair trade message out and about this Fairtrade Fortnight, including at an Africa Scotland Business Network event Home - Africa Scotland Business Network and through a joint stall with Rainbow Turtle Rainbow Turtle – Trading Fairly in Renfrewshire since 2002 at our local council offices.
Two of our board members really helped spread the word through a well-received stall at the Scotland’s International Development Alliance’s conference yesterday. Annual Conference 2025 - Scotland's International Development Alliance
A Collective Call: Do It Fair
True Origin is also proud to stand alongside over 40 UK brands and retailers — from Co-op to Greggs, Clipper, and Ben & Jerry’s — in signing the Fairtrade Foundation’s Do It Fair statement. Fairtrade Shared Statement Together, we are urging businesses and governments to ensure supply chains are transparent, just, and resilient, so that choosing fairness isn’t left only to individual consumers.
It’s about building momentum: making sure that fairness becomes the default.
Fairtrade in the Headlines
This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight has sparked conversations well beyond our own network:
- The National’s piece (quoted above) reminding us that Fairtrade is about joyfully supporting the good, not just avoiding the bad. https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25500073.fairtrade-fortnight-boycotts-just-start/
- The Co-op blog Choosing a Fairer Future, spotlighting True Origin as part of their Fairtrade commitment. Choosing a fairer future | Co-op Blog
- Rainbow Turtle Podcast, with Kilombero rice farmer Howard Msukwa sharing how everyday food choices affect lives across Malawi. food behaviours – Rainbow Turtle
- Scottish Fair Trade’s newsletter, highlighting our Christmas range and encouraging action through petitions, letters, and tea events.
Raise a Cup With Us
This Fairtrade Fortnight, let’s follow Alison’s example and Brew It Fair.
Every cup you drink can carry dignity, resilience, and hope. Fairtrade today isn’t about sacrifice — it’s about positive, delicious action. So why not make your next cuppa count?
Explore our award-winning Traidcraft tea - and our wider range – today and raise YOUR cup with us for a fairer future. Fair Food, Fine Food – True Origin Retail
