JTS celebrates achieving Guaranteed Member status of the World Fair Trade Organisation
Mary Popple • Jan 14, 2021
The Gold Standard for ethical business
Here at JTS we are delighted to have been awarded Guaranteed Member status by the World Fair Trade Organisation. This is the gold standard for ethical business and ensures everything we do is focused on the needs of producers and the protection of our planet.
This is an independent recognition achieved through a thorough self-assessment and audit process. Our work and the way we do it was all assessed against the 10 Principles of Fair Trade with all our staff taking part in the audit.
This is a great recognition of our mission to empower producers and consumers through the fair buying and selling of delicious food. We were thrilled at the response of the WFTO auditor and the reaction of some of our partners in the fair trade movement:
“JTS Ltd demonstrates a wholehearted commitment to fair trade across all aspects of its activities. All of the products it trades are sourced from marginalised producers and through the trading relationship, JTS demonstrates its will to improve the socioeconomic position of its suppliers and their producers.” WFTO Audit report
Martin Rhodes, the Chief Executive of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum commented “It’s is really exciting to see JTS being awarded full membership of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). The commitment of JTS to the Principles of Fair Trade in all that they do has been independently audited and verified by the WFTO. It is another sign of the continuing and growing commitment across Scotland to Fair Trade.”
Laura Cave, Chair of BAFTS Fair Trade Network UK responded “Massive congratulations to JTS on becoming a guaranteed WFTO member. Thoroughly well deserved! So excited to see greater collaborations and unity in the international fair trade community.”
Charlotte Timson (Traidcraft Exchange CEO) welcomed the news saying “Congratulations to JTS team, producer organisations and customers for this brilliant news of JTS becoming a WFTO Guarantee member. This is another evidence of the excellent work you have been doing with your partners in Africa, especially in Malawi. We hope this Fair Trade certification will allow the organization to reach new customers; and continue to increase the positive impact of JTS on those communities in Sub-Saharan Africa using fair trade as a key instrument of change; as well as providing the inspiration to JTS to include more best practices in its relationship with its partners.”
We are a small organisation with a long reach. We are proud of the producer relationships we have developed and we hope this recognition will enable us to strengthen our work with them over the coming years. As Chair I would like to thank all the members of the JTS team for their total commitment to achieving our Fair Trade mission and to the Board for backing us in all we do.
Sustainable production a step closer, thanks to True Origin Partnerships
Our Updated Environmental Policy + Meet Our New Volunteers
Are you passionate about fair trade and sustainable partnering with producers in the Global South? Please read on. Board Member opportunities True Origin launched last year, building on the success of Just Trading Scotland. We’re now in our 16 th trading year and remain as committed to our social purpose as we did from our set up: working directly with smallholder farmers and communities in the global south to source the finest ethical foods. In 2024/2025, we expect a number of our existing Board Members to retire. We are looking for 2 passionate, socially conscious individuals to join our Board ideally with PR, communications, marketing/social media; and funding/business development skills and experience. As importantly, we’re looking for Board colleagues willing to ask questions, share our passion for fair, ethical trade, driving our brand (and supporting us with your networks) as well as your time commitment to the role. Interested in reading more? Please download our candidate pack for more information. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. This is a voluntary position therefore the role is unpaid. Reasonable expenses would be reimbursed in line with our expense policy. To apply please send your CV and written statement to our Chair, Mary Popple mary@trueorigin.org.uk Closing date for applications is Monday, 8 th April 2024 noon.
We are delighted to welcome our newest Board Member, Simon Remington. Simon began his relationship with True Origin whilst working for Midcounties Cooperative, where he was Buying Manager. Simon has worked in commercial and buying roles for various retailers including Marks and Spencer, One Stop (Tesco), Spar (Blakemore) and most recently Midcounties Cooperative. He has also spent 7 years in the Airline Sector. True Origin Chair, Mary Popple said “Simon will bring fresh ideas, retail knowledge and a good working knowledge of the Co-op to our enterprise.” The board will benefit from his 27 years of experience in commercial roles as he helps to bring onboard new, like-minded customers, to enable growth for the future.
12 million Christmas jumpers are sold in the UK each year. Supporting our charity partner Transform Trade.
Read how True Origin Food and True Origin Partnerships are supporting rice farmers in Malawi faced with crop devastation due to climate change.
T his partnership builds on our joint work earlier this year to support Meru Herbs following the closure of Traidcraft. True Origin (then JTS) had quickly identified Meru Herbs as our most vulnerable producer partner at that time and we were thrilled to be able to create a link with Transform Trade who were able to provide a capacity building grant through their Producer Fund. Since then, we have been able to place a significant order with Meru Herbs, including a number of new lines (partly funded through our own Crowdfunder in April/May) and we are really looking forward to launching those products later this year. This one example highlights the value of working in collaboration with others in the fair trade sector and we are really looking forward to strengthening our joint work as Ethical Partners. Transform Trade have said “We’re pleased to be partnering with True Origin so that together, we can work for a world where everyone can enjoy the benefits of trade. True Origin is proving every day that business can be done differently, while Transform Trade works directly with the most marginalised producers and campaigns for a fairer trading system. “You will soon be able to top up your order with a donation to Transform Trade and support producers to build their businesses and advocate for their rights. To celebrate the new partnership True Origin are offering a free gift to Transform Trade supporters who place an order on their online shop between now and the end of October. " Our roots are in the alternative trade movement in the northeast of England and we draw support from across the UK and beyond. We work in partnership with ethical business, workers, farmers and social entrepreneurs in South Asia and East Africa to transform trade so that everyone benefits. Our focus areas are Fashion, Tea and Farming. We used to be known as Traidcraft Exchange. " Here’s a little more from Transform Trade " Within an unjust and broken trading system, we stand with the workers, farmers and social entrepreneurs who are transforming trade. We act as a resource partner, accompanier, influencer, networker and ally. We work at local, national and international levels, focusing on Fashion, Tea and Farming. We have a vision of trade which values all people and regenerates our fragile earth . " For more information on Transform Trade please see https://www.youtube.com/@transformtrade and https://www.transform-trade.org/ Sign up to hear more from Transform Trade: https://www.transform-trade.org/join
