Covid-19 Producer Support Appeal Update
Nicola Taylor • Jun 12, 2020
An update from Eswatini and KASFA on how they are using the funds
Eswatini Kitchen and Woman Farmer Foundation, through the support of JTS (Just Trading Scotland), will be implementing a short term project where they will supply small-holder farmers with soaps and disinfectants and also educate and sensitize farmers on Covid-19. The short term project will further ensure that producers still have access to markets such as Eswatini Kitchen in order to keep the food chain moving despite the current situation the world is faced with.
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Eswatini Kitchen (ESK) has taken a number of preventative measures to make sure that the virus does not spread by providing ESK staff with soap wash basins, masks, sanitizers, enforced social distancing inside the factory and also prevent non-essential visits at the factory. The short term project will build on the above initiatives that ESK has implemented to ensure that the virus does not spread and that they are able to continue supplying JTS whilst still adhering to food safety standards. In that regard of continuous supply, ESK will be working with Woman Farmer Foundation (ESK) an NGO that links ESK with smallholder women and youth farmers that supply ESK with fresh produce such as lime, tomatoes, cayenne pepper, birds’ eye chilli, grapefruits and onions. A lot of information is needed in the rural communities about how farmers and their workers can enforce precautions at the fields to safeguard workers and ensure that food safety systems are in place and that they wash their hands regularly whilst maintaining social distancing.
The project outcomes will be improved knowledge on Covid-19 prevention and continuous supply of fresh produce which will result in less disruption of the food supply chain.
Sonia Paiva, the Managing Director of Eswatini Kitchen, had this to say “The Woman Farmer Team is doing well with the progress of the Covid19 project. We hope and pray that you will be able to secure some more funding. We have been told that schools are opening and grade 7, grade 9 and 12 will be the first ones to attend classes. Most of our schools in the rural areas do not even have running water yet, but we will see what other support we will be able to provide.”
Meanwhile in Malawi ...
JTS buy Kilombero rice from the Kaporo Smallholder Farmer Association (KASFA) in Karonga, Northern Malawi. They gratefully received the first lot of donations and have put these to good use by providing Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves, masks, aprons, goggles, thermometers etc to a rural health centre and a rural hospital. These two facilities are in the areas where most of the rice farmers live and grow the award winning Kilombero rice. The Chairperson of KASFA, Twebo Ng'oma, said "We expect the PPE would enhance the health workers efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in the area.
He then went on to acknowledge that "rice farmers play a critical role in the country's socio economic growth" and that "the pandemic has hit the rice industry hard" This just emphasises our need to do more, to keep on seeking donations which will help our producers and the health care facilities in these communities and to continue to support them in this fight against coronavirus.
In light of this and the fact that we still have to reach our target, we urge that if you can spare even just a few £'s, that you consider the plight of these producers and donate to our Total Giving page.
The donations made the local newspaper in Karonga, the excerpt is below.
Sustainable production a step closer, thanks to True Origin Partnerships
Our Updated Environmental Policy + Meet Our New Volunteers
Are you passionate about fair trade and sustainable partnering with producers in the Global South? Please read on. Board Member opportunities True Origin launched last year, building on the success of Just Trading Scotland. We’re now in our 16 th trading year and remain as committed to our social purpose as we did from our set up: working directly with smallholder farmers and communities in the global south to source the finest ethical foods. In 2024/2025, we expect a number of our existing Board Members to retire. We are looking for 2 passionate, socially conscious individuals to join our Board ideally with PR, communications, marketing/social media; and funding/business development skills and experience. As importantly, we’re looking for Board colleagues willing to ask questions, share our passion for fair, ethical trade, driving our brand (and supporting us with your networks) as well as your time commitment to the role. Interested in reading more? Please download our candidate pack for more information. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. This is a voluntary position therefore the role is unpaid. Reasonable expenses would be reimbursed in line with our expense policy. To apply please send your CV and written statement to our Chair, Mary Popple mary@trueorigin.org.uk Closing date for applications is Monday, 8 th April 2024 noon.
We are delighted to welcome our newest Board Member, Simon Remington. Simon began his relationship with True Origin whilst working for Midcounties Cooperative, where he was Buying Manager. Simon has worked in commercial and buying roles for various retailers including Marks and Spencer, One Stop (Tesco), Spar (Blakemore) and most recently Midcounties Cooperative. He has also spent 7 years in the Airline Sector. True Origin Chair, Mary Popple said “Simon will bring fresh ideas, retail knowledge and a good working knowledge of the Co-op to our enterprise.” The board will benefit from his 27 years of experience in commercial roles as he helps to bring onboard new, like-minded customers, to enable growth for the future.
12 million Christmas jumpers are sold in the UK each year. Supporting our charity partner Transform Trade.
Read how True Origin Food and True Origin Partnerships are supporting rice farmers in Malawi faced with crop devastation due to climate change.
T his partnership builds on our joint work earlier this year to support Meru Herbs following the closure of Traidcraft. True Origin (then JTS) had quickly identified Meru Herbs as our most vulnerable producer partner at that time and we were thrilled to be able to create a link with Transform Trade who were able to provide a capacity building grant through their Producer Fund. Since then, we have been able to place a significant order with Meru Herbs, including a number of new lines (partly funded through our own Crowdfunder in April/May) and we are really looking forward to launching those products later this year. This one example highlights the value of working in collaboration with others in the fair trade sector and we are really looking forward to strengthening our joint work as Ethical Partners. Transform Trade have said “We’re pleased to be partnering with True Origin so that together, we can work for a world where everyone can enjoy the benefits of trade. True Origin is proving every day that business can be done differently, while Transform Trade works directly with the most marginalised producers and campaigns for a fairer trading system. “You will soon be able to top up your order with a donation to Transform Trade and support producers to build their businesses and advocate for their rights. To celebrate the new partnership True Origin are offering a free gift to Transform Trade supporters who place an order on their online shop between now and the end of October. " Our roots are in the alternative trade movement in the northeast of England and we draw support from across the UK and beyond. We work in partnership with ethical business, workers, farmers and social entrepreneurs in South Asia and East Africa to transform trade so that everyone benefits. Our focus areas are Fashion, Tea and Farming. We used to be known as Traidcraft Exchange. " Here’s a little more from Transform Trade " Within an unjust and broken trading system, we stand with the workers, farmers and social entrepreneurs who are transforming trade. We act as a resource partner, accompanier, influencer, networker and ally. We work at local, national and international levels, focusing on Fashion, Tea and Farming. We have a vision of trade which values all people and regenerates our fragile earth . " For more information on Transform Trade please see https://www.youtube.com/@transformtrade and https://www.transform-trade.org/ Sign up to hear more from Transform Trade: https://www.transform-trade.org/join
