Producer Covid-19 Support Update
Nicola Taylor • August 28, 2020
Update from Eswatini in their fight against the pandemic.
Here is the latest update from Eswatini and how they are spending the grant money raised by our kind and generous supporters to educate their employees about Covid-19 and the preventive measures they can utilise to keep themselves and their families safe:
"Sharing here with you is an image taken from our recent staff training we had with ESK's employees on the pandemic (Covid-19).
This training came about as Management realised that some employees may have fears in reporting sick or rather indicating that they suffer from flu-like symptoms in fear of being retrenched; Some companies within the country have negatively dealt with the pandemic creating hostility between employers and employees at national level.
We at WFF did not wish to have any of our staff or ESK staff silently suffering from any sickness as it firstly posed a danger to themselves and secondly to the entire company as a whole - due to this, WFF & ESK Management saw it fit to go through an intense staff training session on the signs and symptoms of Covid and further assure them that if they follow all procedures in reporting sick or the need to seek medical attention they can do so with their jobs safely waiting for their return.
The training also covered on regulations to follow towards ensuring safety and prevention of infection amongst staff.
Your continuous support propels us to do more. "
"We are also pleased to share with you the photo below which was taken from last Thursday’s distribution of the materials to be used by our farmer the prevention of covid-19 infections while they work on their fields and interact with their clients which was purchased through JTS support.
This particular distribution was made under the Manzini region (district), Eswatini’s leading district with Covid + cases . Your support is greatly appreciated in this regard. "
From Field to Jar: My Journey to Meru Herbs, Kenya. Sometimes, you have to see something for yourself to truly understand what it means.
True Origin's MD, Tracy Mitchell, reflects on her fair trade journey of 30+ years whilst in Kenya visiting some valued Producer Partners at Meru Herbs.
The unique Kilombero Rice from Malawi is still available to purchase
An insight into 17 years of partnership between a small fair trade organisation in Paisley and an association of smallholder rice farmers in Northern Malawi
We are delighted to be shortlisted in the Consumer-Facing Social Enterprise of the Year and the International Impact Award at the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2026. Produced by Social Enterprise UK and Co-operatives UK, the Awards celebrate the leading lights in our sector, showcasing diversity and impact across 15 categories. Social enterprises are businesses that trade for a social or environmental purpose, and reinvest at least half their profits to further that mission. There are more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing 2.3 million people, and we’re delighted to be recognised as one of the best in this pioneering business movement. Commenting on being a UK Social Enterprise Awards finalist, Tracy Mitchell MD said: “Being shortlisted for not one but two UK Social Enterprise Awards is a huge honour for everyone at True Origin. We are particularly proud that the nominations recognise both sides of what we are trying to achieve: building a successful consumer-facing business here in the UK, while creating meaningful and lasting impact with our producer partners internationally.
Official recognition for our great tasting fair & fine food products
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.
Assistance from True Origin Partnerships creates positive impact in Eswatini, Kenya and Malawi
Resilience, Recovery & Renewal - Check out the True Origin Annual Report
Fair on The Planet is Chapter 2 of the Fairtrade Foundation's Do it Fair Campaign. We are with them!