Meet our New Board Members

Mary Popple • July 17, 2024

Welcome Colleen and France

We are pleased that the process for recruiting new members to the True Origin Board has concluded very successfully and we will welcome new members France Villeneuve Pictured above right) and Colleen Tait (pictured above left) to their first True Origin board meeting in September. In our sector it can be difficult to find suitably qualified people who will give a Board level commitment. However, we are delighted to have found two such people who have skills that we need to help us on the next stage in True Origin’s journey.

France Villeneuve joins us having already carried out an Impact Measurement project for True Origin in early 2024. With over 25 years of experience in multicultural environments, she specialises in sustainable growth, social impact, and ethical practices for international organisations. For the past 13 years, she has focused on fair trade certification and financial support for producers.

Colleen Tait brings significant experience of developing and implementing marketing campaigns and communications in the third sector. This includes five years with the Scottish Fair Trade Forum where she was first introduced to True Origin and she has been a fan of Kilombero rice ever since. She is passionate about sustainability, equity and justice.

As we are a small but complex organisation we take the view that a six month trial period on our Board is a good way for individuals and ourselves to make sure that we fit together. This reduces risks on both sides and so Colleen and France joined the Board on a trial basis on 1 July 2024. If you feel that you could give True Origin some of your time at Board level, please do get in touch.

See the full Board here.

Mary Popple, Chair, True Origin

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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.