Celebrating International Women's Day

Angus Coull • March 7, 2025

Thanks to the women of Meru Herbs Kenya

International Women's Day falls on the 08th March 2025. This is a time to celebrate the achievements of women around the world, and for us at True Origin that means the producers of our Fair & Fine Foods. This year we are focussing on the women who produce our delicious jams, sauces and herbal teas in Kenya - Meru Herbs.

If you attended the recent 'True Origin: Live' Zoom event (Feb 25), you will have enjoyed hearing from one of the inspiring woman in our supply chain, Sally Sawaya of Meru Herbs. This is a woman led organisation in rural Kenya and is dedicated to fair trade principles with a mission to empower women, alleviate poverty and improve standards of living.

On the Zoom meeting Sally was telling us that the majority of the staff at Meru Herbs are women and they have leadership and decision making responsibilities. Depending on the season, they have 50 - 150 women farmers who do everything by hand so the simplest of tools can make the biggest difference to these women. 

Meru stands as a beacon of hope for women, proving that economic empowerment, sustainability and gender equality can go hand in hand. Through fair trade, women in Meru are rewriting their future.


To find out more, you can watch Sally's talk on our YouTube channel by clicking the button below.

Sally Sawaya on True Origin Live

Karena Jarvie is a True Origin Board Member, she's also a fair trade campaigner and keen to support the women of Meru Herbs. One of her favourite Meru products is Tomato & Chilli Sauce which in this short video clip below, she uses in her family favourite dish, enchiladas.

Through the checkout donation facility on our online shop our super-supportive customers raised £864 over 3 months to help provide much needed implements to help the women at Meru Herbs in Kenya produce their hibiscus and other ingredients for their tasty jams and sauces. True Origin Partnerships organised the provision of these essential tools.  

Fair Trade shop and cafe venue, Gavin's Mill has long been a supporter of the women at Meru Herbs. The Mill has hosted an evening with Meru MD, Sally Sawaya and places regular orders for the products.


"Meru Heru products are always popular with our customers at Gavin’s Mill.  The jams and sauces are delicious and the story behind them inspirational.


"We were very fortunate at Gavin’s Mill to have a visit from Sally Sawaya, MD of Meru Herbs in 2023. Hearing first hand about the work going on at Meru to empower women has made the products even more popular . We are delighted to have maintained a link with Meru Herbs by supporting them through our alternative gift scheme, Gavin’s Mill Gifts -they are always one of our most popular projects".


Joyce Davidson


Pictured below are; left to right, volunteer, Bev and staff member Uta.


You can check out more about Meru Herbs and our other producer groups here.

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We’re absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news: Ethical Consumer has extended its prestigious Best Buy status to the entire True Origin product range and Traidcraft Tea! This recognition previously applied only to our True Origin Kilombero rice, but now it covers all True Origin products — and our beloved Traidcraft Tea as well. This is a huge moment for us — and for everyone who chooses to shop with purpose. The Best Buy label is Ethical Consumer’s highest ethical rating, reserved for brands and products that go above and beyond in areas like environmental impact, workers’ rights, sustainability, and transparency. To receive this mark across our True Origin product range is a powerful endorsement of our ongoing commitment to fairness, justice, and sustainability in global trade – and of the way we do business here in the UK too. Ruairidh Fraser, researcher at Ethical Consumer, said “True Origin are clear ethical leaders in their field, so we're delighted to expand our Best Buy certification to cover all of their branded products. It’s rare to find a company of True Origin’s size which demonstrates such a comprehensive understanding of its social and environmental impact.” He continued “True Origin scored 100/100 for its approach to its supply chain, going above and beyond to ensure that workers’ rights are respected and their communities supported. From agriculture to food waste, they are rejecting greenwash and are instead focused on doing the right thing where it matters." From the fragrant Kilombero rice grown in the heart of Malawi to the rich, responsibly sourced Traidcraft Tea, from the fantastic relishes and spices from South Africa to the exotic Kenyan jams — every product in our portfolio stands for dignity, opportunity, and ethical excellence.  We couldn’t have done it without our producer partners, staff and customers. Every time you choose True Origin or Traidcraft, you’re choosing a better world — and now you’ve got Ethical Consumer’s seal of approval to back that choice. 🛒 Explore the full Best Buy-approved range here . 📣 Spread the word and tag us when you share the news! Together, we’re changing trade for good. See Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label