Exciting times ahead at True Origin

Angus Coull • December 2, 2025

A Message from Tracy Mitchell, Managing Director, & Alistair Menzies, Chair of the Board

As we approach the end of 2025, we’ve been reflecting together on what an extraordinary (and extraordinarily challenging) year it has been for True Origin. Many of you will remember the product recall last December and the really difficult months that followed. It really tested us; our resilience, our partnerships, our operations, and yes—our optimism.

And yet, through all of it, our community of customers and supporters stayed with us. You continued to believe in what True Origin stands for and in the producers whose livelihoods depend on this mission. Thank you! Your support has meant everything as we have worked through this period of recovery and renewal.

Today, we are absolutely delighted to share some genuinely exciting news about the future. We’ve hinted at this over the course of the year and now we can share that out of the challenges of this past year, something remarkable has emerged: we are very proud to be launching two new, values-aligned producer partnerships early in 2026.

Introducing Black Mamba Foods (Eswatini) & Sunshine Nuts (Mozambique)

Black Mamba Foods (Eswatini)

Many of you will already know the incredible work Black Mamba does; creating delicious, ethically produced sauces, pesto’s, and condiments while working hand-in-hand with local smallholder farmers. Their commitment to regenerative farming, fair supply chains, and community uplift mirrors our own. When Jade and Nicola visited them in 2024 as part of their trip to the WFTO summit in South Africa they were immediately inspired. We believe their products will bring you flavours and values that you, our customers, will love.

Sunshine Nuts (Mozambique)

Even better, Black Mamba introduced us to another exceptional partner: Sunshine Nuts, a social enterprise transforming the cashew value chain in Mozambique. Sunshine Nuts employs and empowers local people, sources directly from smallholder farmers, and reinvests a significant portion of profits into community projects. Their roasted and seasoned cashews are the best we’ve ever tasted. When I (Tracy) met some of their team in Germany in October it was genuinely one of the most inspiring trips I have ever been on.

These two producer partners open the door to entirely new stories, new flavours, and new opportunities for impact.

A Huge Team Effort

Getting to this point has been a massive undertaking.
From recipe testing and product approvals to packaging, logistics, and compliance, the True Origin team has worked tirelessly, often under intense pressure, to bring this new range to life.

We also want to recognise the phenomenal work of the producer teams in Eswatini and Mozambique. Their energy, creativity, and passion have invigorated all of us. We’ve tasted the products, spent time with the teams, and seen first-hand how much care goes into every jar, bottle, and bag. We LOVE these products, and we think you will too.

And perhaps most importantly: they reflect exactly what True Origin is about—great taste with genuine impact.

Looking Ahead: A Fresh Chapter in 2026

With our first shipment now on its way, we are finally able to look ahead with real excitement. These products will form a key part of our refreshed range for 2026.

To celebrate, we’re planning a special True Origin Live launch event provisionally on Thursday 22nd January 2026 (early evening) where we hope representatives from Black Mamba and Sunshine Nuts will introduce the new range and share more of the producer stories. Keep an eye out for details coming soon.

Thank You

This year has been hard. But it has also highlighted what makes True Origin special: our values, our partners, our team, and our supporters. Thank you for sticking with us. Thank you for believing in this work.

Here’s to a brighter, bolder, more resilient True Origin in 2026.

We can’t wait to share it with you. Please do sign up to our newsletter if you aren’t already on the circulation to be the first to know when the new products are available.

With gratitude,

Tracy Mitchell, Managing Director
Alistair Menzies, Chair of the Board

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A woman standing at church fair trade stall with lots of delicious fair trade products available

How to Run a True Origin Fair Trade Stall at Your Church

By Nicola Taylor • July 3, 2026

A Fair Trade stall is about so much more than selling tea, coffee and chocolate. Every purchase supports smallholder farmers and producers who are working incredibly hard to build sustainable livelihoods in the face of climate change, rising fuel costs and an unpredictable global market. For many of the communities we work with, having reliable customers is essential. By running a True Origin stall at your church, you become part of that support network, helping to create regular demand for products that often aren't available in supermarkets or high street shops. Whether your church is passionate about global justice, caring for creation or simply making a practical difference, a Fair Trade stall is a simple but powerful way to turn those values into action. Start Small You don't need a huge team or a large budget to get started. Begin by talking with your church leaders about the idea. Many churches are happy to provide a small loan or donation to purchase initial stock, particularly if it can be repaid gradually as sales grow. Remember that most of the income from a stall is best reinvested into buying more stock rather than raising money for church funds. This helps keep the stall sustainable and ensures producers continue to receive orders. If you're new to running a stall, don't worry, you won't be on your own. The True Origin team and experienced Fair Traders are always happy to share advice and practical tips.