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Volunteers’ Tasting Event

As part of our efforts to work more closely with Paisley-based fair trade organisation, JTS, we recently hosted a tasting event for Rainbow Turtle volunteers in our Paisley shop. JTS import and distribute fair trade products from around the world, many of which are on sale in our shop on Gauze Street.

Tracy Mitchell from JTS brought a selection of Eswatini jams and chutneys and Ukuva sauces. She talked about the difference that we make to the lives of the producers when we buy their products. We learned of the difficulties that these small producers have in making and distributing their foods, often from land locked countries. We heard how JTS has to overcome complex logistical problems from international banking systems, transport issues and UK health and safety regulations. More importantly we were able to taste these delicious foods lightly spread on oat cakes and gluten free crackers.

My favourite definitely has to be the Ukuva Peri Peri Sauce mixed in with cottage cheese (or for those on a dairy free diet mixed in with an oat cream cheese) on an oat cake. Mmm… mmm… Also available was Ukuva’s Chermoula Sauce which is currently JTS‘ flavour of the month and profiled in one of our latest blogs.

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Paisley Ironed Man 2017

Can it really be 3 years since 3 intrepid Blues Buddies stripped down to their fair trade underwear in the centre of Paisley accompanied by the Renfrewshire Community Gospel Choir singing Aretha Franklin’s respect?

The purpose of the event was to highlight the conditions of garment makers working in sweatshop conditions in developing countries and to raise funds for Rainbow Turtle. By removing our outer layers (in distinctly chilly conditions!) we revealed our fairly traded underwear and showed that there were alternatives to cheap clothing made by people who were exploited.

For those who missed the event, or those who’d like to see it again, click on the link below. For those who don’t want to see it, please look away now!

Thanks to the Renfrewshire Community Gospel Choir for their wonderful singing, Erskine Music & Media Studio for providing the sound system and marquees, Derek Doyle on guitar, Shaun Moore aka the Reverend Cleophas James for compering the event, and of course my colleagues in black, Graeme Miller and Craig Smith. Finally thanks go to everyone who attended and supported the event, we managed to raise £1,200!

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JTS Flavour of the Month – Chermoula

Our friends at JTS choose a Flavour of the Month to promote every month and for February it’s the very tasty Chermoula sauce – available now in Rainbow Turtle!

Chermoula is a mild, fragrant sauce with a fascinating North African character: it is light, green chilli and coriander with lemon – popular and deliciously versatile.

Brush onto game fish, chicken or lamb – rest for half an hour before grilling. Serve with extra sauce.

Excellent in North African salads with bulgar wheat, parsley, tomato and cucumber.

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90kg Rice Challenge Schools Event

A few weeks ago we worked together with our friends at JTS, WOSDEC, the Social Enterprise Academy, and the Renfrewshire Fair Trade Steering Group to bring local primary schools together for an event to learn about the 90kg Rice Challenge and to celebrate the links the Challenge has with fair trade, social enterprise, and wider global citizenship.

There was a great buzz about the event, with some really enthusiastic and empowered young people keen to increase their knowledge about the world around them. We were also lucky enough to have visitors from Renfrewshire Council and the local press to help us spread the word even further.

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Our Updated Mission Statement, Vision & Values

Rainbow Turtle logo

We recently had a review of Rainbow Turtle to determine if what we were doing was still needed and if we should change the focus on what we do. Out of that process we had another look at our Mission Statement, Vision and Values:

Mission statement 
Our purpose is to help alleviate inequality and financial inequity across the world as part of the global Fair Trade movement. We help educate and empower Renfrewshire citizens to understand and act upon global inequities to lead to a fairer world for everyone.
Vision
An equal world where everyone is paid a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work.
Values
Equity, Equality, Education, Global and Local Empowerment.
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Fairtrade Fortnight Ceilidh – 29th February

We thought you’d like to make a “leap” into Fairtrade Fortnight this year with a fundraising ceilidh for Rainbow Turtle. Starring the renowned ceilidh band, Haud Yer Lugs, this year’s ceilidh will be held in the Wynd Centre in Paisley on Saturday 29th February at 7pm. Tickets will be on sale in the Rainbow Turtle shop, priced £5 or £20 for a family. Tea and coffee will be provided.

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Paisley Daily Express Article on our Christmas Window

Thanks to the Paisley Daily Express on the 2nd of December, a lovely article was written by Alison Rennie about our delightful Christmas window, designed and installed by the students of Mary Russell School in Paisley. Come and see our shop window and buy something different for the special person in your life, knowing that your purchase supports producers and their families in developing countries.

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Last Minute Gifts!

Time is ticking on and it’ll be Christmas Day before we know it. How are you getting on with your shopping for presents? If you’re anything like us there’ll be a last minute rush so we’ve compiled this handy gift guide to easy present shopping with a conscience!

Christmas Banquet Box, £20.00

This flavour-packed box squeezes in everything you need to make your Christmas dinner zero waste by turning leftover turkey into a tasty fair trade curry!

Coffee & Chocolate Pairings, £7.99

Traidcraft’s Q Arabica Graded coffee consultant has paired up ground coffee and bars of chocolate for the ultimate taste experience!

Friendly Bars Gift Set, £9.99-£14.99

Friendly’s ethical bars (4 in each set) range from simple shampoo to multi-purpose hair/face/laundry, meaning you use fewer harmful chemicals and no plastic in getting clean this Christmas.

Lip Balms, £8.00 & Balm Duo, £14.00

These Fairtrade and handmade beauty products will leave your skin feeling soft and you feeling virtuous.

Recycled Sari Bags, £4.99

Offcuts of colourful saris have been repurposed into these beautiful and practical bags which unfold from their handy keyring pocket. Perfect for last minute shopping trips!

Bombangles, £7.00

Made in Laos from metal salvaged from unexploded bombs dropped during the Vietnam War, each of these simple bangles comes in a pretty gift bag with a copy of the terrible story behind them.