JTS Director, Joe Osman, Launches New Book
Nicola Taylor • Sep 03, 2020
Traidcraft – Inspiring a Fair Trade Revolution
It was a great pleasure to join JTS as a non-executive director last year. Having worked at Traidcraft and being involved in Fair Trade for nearly four decades it was good to stay involved. Traidcraft went through some difficult times in 2018 and almost ceased trading and the downsized new version of Traidcraft which emerged neither had a place for me nor was of any great interest to me, so it was time to leave.
I was encouraged by former colleagues to write something of my journey through Traidcraft which I joined in 1981 and, whilst never having written anything substantial beyond business papers and the occasional Traidcraft blog, I was reasonably positive that I could pull it off. It became very clear to me that the history and legacy of Traidcraft was something that deserved recording and, as I write in the introduction to my book ‘ Traidcraft – Inspiring a Fair Trade Revolution’, “I eventually concluded that I was probably the best, if not only, person to write something, given that I’ve lived and breathed the organization for much of my life.”
I met up with Richard Adams, Traidcraft’s founder, and he became a bit of a mentor during the process, reading the section covering his time there, and encouraging me to continue. In fact he was one of the few people who read the final manuscript. We agreed that getting contributions from others would be a sensible thing to do. So former work colleagues and folk from the wider Fair Trade world also contribute including suppliers, producers and all Fairtrade Foundation leaders since its inception. Richard also provides an epilogue to the book.
So what can people expect from the book? Well it’s inevitably autobiographical in nature, recounting Traidcraft’s history through my eyes and recounting some of my own experiences. It will inevitably be a bit too ‘technical’ for some given that I recount some of the ways in which Traidcraft’s model of Fair Trade evolved through the years and how policies changed and developed. It will probably result in the reaction “I never knew that!” especially in recounting stories about some of the key product developments that Traidcraft was involved with and recounting some of the background behind the development and growth of the wider Fair Trade Movement. I particularly enjoyed writing the chapter on Traidcraft’s journey and influence in Fair Trade tea which I was quite involved with and I also enjoyed the contribution from one of our close contacts at the Co-op who writes about the partnership that evolved between us in their journey to becoming probably the leading retailer of Fair Trade products. There may even be parts of it that some might disagree with or have a different version of events – although, as I write in the introduction, “History anyway is, in a sense, interpretive” so I’m more than happy to stick to my version! It will also cover Traidcraft’s origins as an organisation with Christian roots and mission and the challenges involved in that and I was particularly pleased to have a foreword contributed by the former Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.
‘Traidcraft – Inspiring a Fair Trade Revolution’ is published by Lion Hudson and is available from numerous online platforms. Amazon have paperback and Kindle editions. For those who might be boycotting Amazon, I’ve seen the paperback on Book Depository, Foyles, Hive and Wordery, and there are others who sell the digital version like Eden and Google Play. Then, of course, it’s available from Traidcraft online shop.
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
