Open Day at True Origin Warehouse with Howard

Angus Coull • September 16, 2024

And drinks for former Scottish Fair Trade CE, Martin Rhodes

Thanks so much to everyone who came along to the open day at our warehouse in Paisley following the Scottish Fair Trade Campaigner Conference on Saturday 14th Sept. Visitors enjoyed seeing "where it all happens" at this end of the import process. The warehouse is filled with rice and other delicious Fair trade products and this gave folk a further chance to engage with Howard and sample some of our other offerings.

We were delighted that the warehouse was also the venue for the reception for Martin Rhodes MP, former CE of Scottish Fair Trade. Martin has been a tireless supporter of True Origin (formerly JTS) and of course Fair Trade in general and we much appreciate all his efforts in maintaining Scotland's Fair Trade Nation status and supporting organisations like ours. Attendees included past and present staff and volunteers and board members. We wish him well in his new role as MP. Thanks to everyone who attended.

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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.