Looking Back and Looking Forward - Malcolm

Malcolm Shannon • March 4, 2019

In the 10 years since the birth of JTS for many of us the world has changed dramatically with the pace of change even appearing to increase exponentially. Social media, technology and politics for example all have very different outlooks than they did in 2009. Yet for the 2 billion smallholder farmers and producers trying to eke out a living for their families the fundamentals of poverty and toil have barely changed, as I have seen for myself in Malawi.

As far as its possible for a small not-for-profit Social Enterprise, JTS has in these 10 years tried to help as many of these farmers as possible. In particular we are proud of the impact our efforts to build a UK market for Kilombero rice and the development work we have carried out in the Karonga region of Malawi has had on the nearly 9,000 rice farmers of the local farmers association. Yet it is perhaps not the direct benefit the farmers income and security that will have the greatest long-term impact. Rather it may be that by demonstrating that its possible for a small ethical company to implement and sustain a full, fairly traded supply chain from Africa to the end consumer, we inspire and set an example to others and thus help build the kind of businesses in developing world that will give farmers a sustainable and dignified lifestyle.

Certainly, a range of organisations from various sectors including commercial, academical and NGOs have studied our story and business model and we believe that may influence future thinking and policy in a number of positive ways.

JTS is now looking forward to its next 10 years when we hope to have an even greater impact on more farmers and producers, and to be a beacon for the benefits of ethical sustainable fair trade and of partnerships between the developing and developed world.

Malcolm Shannon, Director

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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.