JTS Director, Joe Osman, Launches New Book
Nicola Taylor • September 3, 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.
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HOW EVERY JAR FROM TRUE ORIGIN CHANGES LIVES IN RURAL KENYA
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