True Origin Shortlisted for Awards

Angus Coull • October 18, 2023

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Renfrewshire Chamber recently announced the 2023 shortlist for the annual business awards, the ROCCO’s. Now in their 19th Year, the ROCCOs are the premier business event in Renfrewshire, and we are delighted that True Origin has been shortlisted in two of the categories: ROCCO Award for Journey to Net Zero, sponsored by REN ZERO and ROCCO Award for Business Leader of the Year sponsored by DIAGEO.

Helping producers in the global south fight climate change is crucial for our business, and we are keen to do what we can here in Scotland so are excited to be one of 3 organisations shortlisted in the Journey to Net Zero category. True Origin MD, Tracy Mitchell says “Respect for the environment is one of the 10 fair trade principles and one which has clearly increased in importance as the extent of the climate emergency has become ever clearer. We believe there can be no climate justice without fair trade, highlighting that smallholder farmers and workers are part of the solution to the climate crisis. I am really pleased that our work in this area has been recognised in this way.”

This year the most significant project we have implemented relates to plastic waste. One of the biggest products we sell in volume is our Kilombero Rice from Malawi. In a 2019 investigation by Ethical Consumer which thoroughly reviewed 38 rice brands from many retailers, Kilombero rice was awarded the “best buy” status – the most ethical rice in the UK. The one area we didn’t score so well in was the plastic bags the rice used to be packaged in. After much research on different packaging options over several years, we have changed that and moved to recyclable bags. As we know plastic waste is a big issue worldwide, so we wanted to address this issue in our organisation to reduce our environmental impact. Having sustainable solutions to packaging, given the volumes of rice we sell (over 50,000 bags of rice so far this year), will significantly reduce the volume of non-recyclable plastic our business was previously generating

We are excited that Tracy is one of the leaders shortlisted for the ROCCO Business Leader of the Year award which recognises the head of a company who has done some or all of the following:

● Led the company through a difficult phase - and came out on top
● Grown the company significantly whether it be by turnover/profit/market share/staff
● Enhanced the profile of the company on a local/national or even global basis
● Through their leadership the company excels in certain areas, such as service or quality
● Enhanced the reputation of Renfrewshire

We can safely say that Tracy has done all of the above and really is a motivating and inspiring influence over the team. Chair of the True Origin board, Mary Popple had this to say about the shortlisting.

"I am delighted that Tracy our MD has been shortlisted for this award. She has all the characteristics of an excellent leader - she thinks strategically, she understands the detail and cares deeply for the welfare of the staff and the mission of True Origin. And she is a pleasure to work with".

17 winners will be announced at the ceremony hosted by Fred MacAulay on the 17th November at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew. ROCCO Main Sponsor is Invest In Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council's programme to grow the local economy and support employment.

Renfrew ChamberCEO, Bob Grant said "We've had an amazing response with entries this year, many companies have great stories to share as we celebrate everything our business community has achieved together. A huge congratulations to all our finalists and commiserations to those who did not make the shortlist. Competition has been particularly tough this year and I would encourage you to please enter in 2024. Judging for 15 of the 17 awards will require the shortlisted organisations to present to our panels w/c 30th October at the Chamber Business Centre, Glasgow Airport”.

Wish us luck.

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.