Producer Visit: Sally from Meru Herbs in Kenya

Tracy Mitchell • June 1, 2023

A chance to sample some jam and hear about life for those who make it

I am so looking forward to meeting Sally tomorrow! I have been communicating with her regularly for several years now but so far we have only met via Zoom so meeting her face-to-face will be brilliant!

Sally Sawaya is the MD of Meru Herbs, a women-led enterprise in Meru, a community in rural Kenya, which produces delicious jams and sauces made from locally grown ingredients.

Sally is in Scotland for a few days visiting family after having been in Italy for a work project. We are thrilled that she is making time during this visit to meet with us and help us to promote the wonderful products from Meru Herbs in Kenya.

A key part of Sally’s visit will be spending time with the JTS team discussing our 2023 order and product developments.

There are three main opportunities for customers and supporters to meet Sally and hear about the work at Meru Herbs – and taste their products:

One World Shop, Edinburgh – Friday 2^nd June – 2.30pm-3.30pm in the shop, no need to book

Gavin’s Mill, Milngavie – Sunday 4^th June – 4.30pm-6pm, in the café – book here: Meet Sally Sawaya Fair Trade Producer – Gavin's Mill (gavinsmill.org ) (or just come along).

Billington’s’ Deli, Lenzie – Tuesday 6^th June 6pm-8pm, in the deli – book here: Events | Billington's of Le nzie (billingtonsoflenzie.co.uk)

In addition, Sally will visit the Rainbow Turtle in Paisley on Tuesday 6^th June at about 11am and she will be taking part in the Shared Interest Volunteer Festival on Tuesday afternoon.

We hope those of you who are local enough will take the opportunity to meet with Sally and hear direct from her about the difference your purchasing makes.

Tracy

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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.