Donations of Rice to Foodbank Appeal
Nicola Taylor • April 14, 2021
Donating rice to our Foodbank Appeal helps those in need both locally and globally
Food scarcity is becoming a real issue in today's society. In the UK, more than 14 million people are living in poverty – including 4.5 million children. This problem has become even more prevalent in recent times due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. In order to do our bit in addressing this issue, JTS are launching our biggest ever rice donation project with the aim of helping those in desperate need, both in our communities here and also in the farming communities in Malawi who have also been adversely affected by the pandemic.
Due to lockdown, many of our customers in shops, churches, and schools have not been able to undertake the 90kg Rice Challenge as they usually would, this has meant a severe drop in demand for rice and therefore us not being able to order containers of rice which the farmers depend on for their livelihoods and their children’s education.
Can you get a few people to contribute towards a 90kg Rice Challenge which we can then submit to a local foodbank on your behalf? JTS will commit to donating an extra 6 bags of rice for every 90kg donated.
90kg of rice can benefit households in the UK as part of their food parcels issued by the foodbanks and meanwhile in Malawi 90kg of rice can provide a sustainable income for a rice farmer and his family and enable a child to attend secondary school for one year.
Any contribution is worthwhile so if 90kgs is too much then there is also the option to donate anything from 1kg.
Let’s help to fight food poverty both locally and globally.
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
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Fair on The Planet is Chapter 2 of the Fairtrade Foundation's Do it Fair Campaign. We are with them!
Our board member, Karena shares her experience throughout Perth & Kinross
