The Beer Bread That's Baking Hope in South Africa

Nicola Taylor • December 2, 2025

If you follow the smell of warm beer bread rising in a South African kitchen, you’ll likely find a story simmering alongside it, one of heritage, hope, and a group of women determined to lift each other up. That’s the heart of Barrett’s Ridge, a small but mighty producer whose iconic beer bread mixes have travelled from one granny’s recipe book all the way to kitchens around the world.

Photo of Tayrene Barrett, the founder of Barrett's Ridge Beer Bread in South Africa

Where It All Began


Barrett’s Ridge was born from two simple loves: beer and bread. “Beer bread has been a staple in our family for generations,” says Tayrene, the founder. “I wanted to share my granny’s recipe with the world, hoping others would enjoy it as much as we have.”


But this wasn’t just about baking. South Africa faces a staggering unemployment rate of 33%, and women make up 35% of that number. What started as a cherished family recipe soon became a vehicle for change, a business with a mission to create jobs and empower women.


Today, Barrett’s Ridge remains small, proudly woman-led, and grounded in community. Through their partnership with the Ukama Community Foundation, they support micro-enterprises run by women from previously disadvantaged communities. Every loaf tells a bigger story.

The Challenges They Rise Above


Running a small business in South Africa is not for the faint of heart. Economic instability, cash-flow struggles, and the constant shadow of loadshedding (rolling electricity outages) mean that even a simple day of production can feel like walking a tightrope.


And while many customers imagine a bustling factory with automated lines, the reality is far more intimate: every calico bag is hand cut, hand sewn, hand packed, and hand stitched by skilled artisans who pour pride and precision into their craft.

What keeps the team going? Love, love for their country, their communities, and the belief that job creation is the key to helping South Africa thrive.



Photo of a female seamstress in South Africa with a new power pack to help her work during a time of loadshedding.

The True Origin Connection


When Barrett’s Ridge joined hands with True Origin, it was more than a business move. It was a meeting of values. Both partners champion fair trade, ethical production, and meaningful support for small producers.


True Origin has helped Barrett’s Ridge navigate the challenges of scaling while staying true to the heart of their mission. During one of South Africa’s worst periods of loadshedding, True Origin went as far as supplying power banks to seamstresses so they could keep working and earning despite the outages.


Support like that doesn’t just fuel a business, it fuels hope.

 

How Beer Bread Becomes a Story in a Bag


The journey of a Barrett’s Ridge beer bread mix is slow, human, and full of care.  It begins with calico fabric, cut and prepped for printing. Once the designs are on, the cloth is cut again and sent to the seamstresses, who craft each bag with remarkable skill. From there, the bags travel to Ukama Contract Packing, where women pack and hand stitch each mix.


Whenever possible, raw materials are sourced from small, local businesses. Production isn’t just about a product, it’s about uplifting people, building skills, and creating opportunities.  Ask the founder what she’s most proud of, and the answer is immediate: “Our seamstresses and packing partners. These are truly wonderful women who take pride in their work, and it shows in every product.”

 

What Customers Experience


When someone bakes a loaf of Barrett’s Ridge beer bread, the hope is that they feel something deeper than satisfaction. Yes, the loaf is delicious, crusty, warm, comforting. But there’s also pride in knowing that the purchase supports a small business, an entire community of women, and a more ethical way of eating and shopping.


Even a simple like or share on social media goes a long way for small producers like Barrett’s Ridge. As the founder says: 

“Thank you. By purchasing our product, you are truly making a difference in the lives of so many.”


A Rising Future


Since partnering with True Origin, Barrett’s Ridge has expanded internationally, created more jobs, and supported more children in under resourced communities. Over the next five years, they hope to continue growing and creating more sustainable employment, empowering women, and helping local communities achieve food security.


More than anything, they hope their story inspires people to shop responsibly and ethically, thinking about where their products come from and the hands that bring them to life.


Because bread may be simple, but the impact behind it can be extraordinary.

Photo of some freshly baked Olive & Rosemary Beer Bread cut into slices

Olive & Rosemary Beer Bread

Button
Image of a bread Christmas wreath made with True Origin Beer Bread

Christmas Wreath

Made with Chilli & Garlic Beer Bread
Photos of some flatbreads made with Beer Bread mixed with yoghurt instead of beer and a variety of toppings

Flatbreads

Made with Garlic & Herb Beer Bread

Button

Ladies of Ukama Packaging

Button
BUY BEER BREAD


Buy from True Origin and help turn everyday choices into global change.


FOOD THAT HAS TRUE IMPACT AT ORIGIN


Shop Online:  www.trueoriginfoods.co.uk


The impact at origin of Sunshine Nuts in Mozambique is truly remarkable

From Seed to Empowerment: The Sunshine Nuts Story

By Nicola Taylor • December 18, 2025
The impact at origin of Sunshine Nuts in Mozambique is truly remarkable
A smallholder farmer in Eswatini with a handful of chillies grown on her land.

Black Mamba Food - Small African Producer Creates Big Impact

By Nicola Taylor • December 18, 2025
Black Mamba is a small African Producer based in Eswatini, they are changing lives through their jams and chillies and working with True Origin

Exciting times ahead at True Origin

By Angus Coull • December 2, 2025
A Message from Tracy Mitchell, Managing Director, & Alistair Menzies, Chair of the Board
Women farmer in rural Kenya

True Impact Starts Here - The Story of Meru Herbs

By Nicola Taylor • November 5, 2025
HOW EVERY JAR FROM TRUE ORIGIN CHANGES LIVES IN RURAL KENYA

Brew it Fair - From Campaign Coffee to True Origin Teas

By Tracy Mitchell • October 1, 2025
Turning every cup into change

True Origin LIve: Fairtrade Fortnight & Festive Preview

By Angus Coull • August 26, 2025
Join us for an online get together

Dignity Through Trade and Action

By Angus Coull • July 10, 2025
Launching Our 2024/25 Annual Report

Celebrating the Ethical Consumer 'Best Buy' Seal of Approval

By Tracy Mitchell • June 30, 2025
We’re absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news: Ethical Consumer has extended its prestigious Best Buy status to the entire True Origin product range and Traidcraft Tea! This recognition previously applied only to our True Origin Kilombero rice, but now it covers all True Origin products — and our beloved Traidcraft Tea as well. This is a huge moment for us — and for everyone who chooses to shop with purpose. The Best Buy label is Ethical Consumer’s highest ethical rating, reserved for brands and products that go above and beyond in areas like environmental impact, workers’ rights, sustainability, and transparency. To receive this mark across our True Origin product range is a powerful endorsement of our ongoing commitment to fairness, justice, and sustainability in global trade – and of the way we do business here in the UK too. Ruairidh Fraser, researcher at Ethical Consumer, said “True Origin are clear ethical leaders in their field, so we're delighted to expand our Best Buy certification to cover all of their branded products. It’s rare to find a company of True Origin’s size which demonstrates such a comprehensive understanding of its social and environmental impact.” He continued “True Origin scored 100/100 for its approach to its supply chain, going above and beyond to ensure that workers’ rights are respected and their communities supported. From agriculture to food waste, they are rejecting greenwash and are instead focused on doing the right thing where it matters." From the fragrant Kilombero rice grown in the heart of Malawi to the rich, responsibly sourced Traidcraft Tea, from the fantastic relishes and spices from South Africa to the exotic Kenyan jams — every product in our portfolio stands for dignity, opportunity, and ethical excellence.  We couldn’t have done it without our producer partners, staff and customers. Every time you choose True Origin or Traidcraft, you’re choosing a better world — and now you’ve got Ethical Consumer’s seal of approval to back that choice. 🛒 Explore the full Best Buy-approved range here . 📣 Spread the word and tag us when you share the news! Together, we’re changing trade for good. See Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label

Welcoming Alistair Menzies as New Chair of True Origin Board

By Angus Coull • June 30, 2025
Alistair has been a True Origin director since 2020, having spent most of his career within the food industry across a range of commercial, marketing and management roles. With 30 years in management and 25 working for food businesses including Divine and Traidcraft, he has brought a breadth of experience across several categories including hot beverages, snacks, chilled, frozen as well as enjoyable spells in confectionery and wines. Alistair has enjoyed working in fair-trade where every sale ensures fair prices and additional benefits to farming communities and has had the privilege of visiting several producer groups in Chile (vineyards and honey co-operatives), and Ghana (cocoa farmers as well as tropical fruits). “Since joining the board of True Origin in 2020 I’ve seen firsthand how resilient and adaptable the team are when faced with the challenges of global disruptions, ever changing market conditions, and the logistics of shipping products from east and southern Africa to Paisley. All this, to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and food manufacturers in the region. I am delighted to be continuing my journey with True Origin and look forward to building on the hard work that has gone before” Alistair Menzies.

A Real Sense of Palestine from Zaytoun

By Angus Coull • June 24, 2025
At True Origin we have always loved the range of products from Zaytoun, so when we set up our True Origin & Friends section on our online shop, stocking the delicious olive oils, almonds, dates, maftoul, feekeh and za’atar was a priority. We also love their hand crafted soaps. Palestinian Producers Need our Support More than Ever. True Origin MD, Tracy Mitchell says we can all help, whilst enjoying great quality food from this particular part of the Middle East. “We're proud to offer Zaytoun products at True Origin — they embody ethical sourcing, outstanding quality, and a powerful story of resilience. By bringing these goods to our customers, we’re directly supporting Palestinian producers and helping sustain livelihoods in some of the world’s most challenging conditions. These ingredients don’t just taste good — they do good." Zaytoun CIC is a social enterprise inspired by a love of Palestinian culture, communities and cuisine. They exist to support Palestinian farmers through fair trade – 100% of their profits are reinvested into delivering this mission. So buying Zaytoun products is a great way to ensure a sustainable future for food producers, particularly in these most challenging of times. Choosing and cooking Palestinian food, as Tracy says is a great way to make a positive difference in the lives of the families who rely on selling their unique produce.