Rainbow Turtle relies on its many fair trade suppliers to fill our shop with colour and stories. It’s those stories which create a connection between the products we buy off the shelves and those who farm or produce them. This page introduces you to some of our suppliers so that they can tell you about their products and the difference that you make when you buy them.
You can scroll through the page below to read the various stories of our suppliers and producers. Alternatively, you can hover over the “Our Suppliers” menu item above to display the full list and skip to the supplier you’re interested in.
Artizan International
https://www.artizaninternational.org
Handmade in Ecuador and the UK by people with disabilities
What do they do?
Artizan International enables, empowers and supports people with disabilities to meet their full potential, through therapeutic craft activities and social enterprise, in the UK and the developing world.
Their vision is to create a world where disabled people are welcomed, valued and respected as creative contributors to their community, and given equal opportunities to their peers. UK specific : Social isolation is decreased, confidence and wellbeing are increased, bridges are built and negative attitudes are positively transformed. Overseas: Disabled people living in poverty are equipped to support themselves financially through skilled crafts work and, by their achievements, to transform negative attitudes towards them in society.
Ecuador and Peru:
Their Crafts Centres and Cafe provide training & employment for people with disabilities who would otherwise be living in extreme poverty. They are beacons of light and hope in the community, transforming the lives of our participants & positively changing attitudes towards disability in the community.
Locally (UK):
Their vibrant Artizan Cafe & Creative Space provide hospitality training & work experience, creative crafts workshops & more, for adults & children with special needs. Their Artizan Organics workshop provides training in hand-made candles & cosmetics, sold in their fairtrade shop, alongside the crafts produced by their artisans overseas.
Bala Sports
Fair Play Starts with the Ball…
Bala Sports is committed to bringing, high quality, fairly traded sports balls to the UK.
They have paid a premium of 15% on every ball to ensure that the hands that made your ball are fairly compensated for their work. This premium is used by their partners in Pakistan to provide discounted groceries for their workers.
Since they started out in 2014, it has been Bala’s mission to expand the availability and use of ethically produced, Fairtrade and fairly traded sports balls (focusing initially on footballs, rugby balls and futsals) in the UK and bringing the Fairtrade message to the sporting world.
In March 2023 custodianship of Bala and its aims were transferred to Matt and Gillian Oliver. Matt and Gillian have now found a new manufacturer and have brought a new range of fairly traded balls to the UK in August 2024.
Bala is currently working with Fairtrade certified manufacture Bola Gema, who are based in Sialkot in Pakistan. Their CIC was founded on the principle of ensuring a fair deal, safe working conditions and a better life for these men and women who make our balls. Their aim is to help them secure a brighter future for themselves and their families.
The beauty of the Fairtrade system is the additional Fairtrade Premium (which is calculated at 15% of the price paid to the factory) put into community projects for the benefit of the workers. They are organised through a Fairtrade Premium Committee who, through this, decide amongst themselves what social development projects to invest in. Making balls under Fairtrade terms really does bring a smile to our workers faces.
The team at Bola Gema use the Fairtrade Premium to provide discounted groceries to their workers.
While they can not currently afford to certify our footballs, Bala has ensured that the 15% premium has been paid directly to the producer so they can say they are fairly traded. They aim to use profits for their first batch of balls to seek to gain certification in the future
Bethlehem Baubles
https://www.bethlehembaubles.com
A social enterprise working with Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities, producing unique handmade Christmas decorations.
Right from the beginning of Bethlehem Baubles it was essential to them that this venture would provide ongoing income for workers. They have achieved this by changing their designs every year so that their many loyal customers can add to their Bethlehem Baubles collection. They are now selling thousands of bauble boxes every year and, as you will guess, more baubles = more Palestinian jobs which is the whole purpose of this venture!
The glass factories in Hebron have been working for centuries. Blowing glass is is hot work – especially during the summer months and requires great skill. Their artisans make it look so easy!
Most of the materials used are recycled – they are pleased about that. Old bottles and window panes are all smashed up to make their decorations which are heavier than other Christmas decorations – they even bounce on carpet!
Cafè Direct
Fair Trade Coffee, the original and most widely copied.
Coffee done right.
They make sure that drinking coffee today doesn’t stop us drinking coffee tomorrow.
If farmers can’t make a living growing coffee, they’ll stop. Right now 80% of them aren’t earning enough to do basic things like feed their families and get medical help when they’re sick. Changing the way coffee is bought and sold is the only way to guarantee the future of our daily drink – and of the people who make it.
Cafe Direct puts growers first. They buy from them directly, pay them fairly, and invests in cooperatives.
Cafe Direct respects the earth. If we want the earth to give us coffee we can’t strip it of the things it needs to do that. They work hard to use only renewable energy, they prioritise buying organic coffee and make sure 100% of their packaging can be reused, recycled or composted.
Divine Chocolate
Buy a bar and fight exploitation.
They champion the needs of farmers, enabling them to thrive and prosper and together build a sustainable and fair world.
Divine Chocolate is a global, farmer-owned chocolate company.
Divine Chocolate is proud to continue the groundbreaking and visionary work of Nana Frimpong Abebrese and the Kuapo Kokoo cooperative to create the first farmer-owned Fairtrade chocolate company, empowering farmers to invest in their communities and fostering direct connections between consumers and the people behind each bar. Today, Divine Chocolate remains committed to sustainable and ethical practices, exemplifying the positive impact of fair trade on a global scale.
Earth Squared
Earth Squared started some 22 years ago after founder, Alison Henderson, returned from two years’ volunteering in social projects in Guatemala. Passionate about social justice and with a head for business, Alison wanted to start a fair trade business with an emphasis very much on design and quality.
Earth Squared HQ is in a lovely office building in the beautiful town of North Berwick near Edinburgh, and they feel privileged to have customers across the length and breadth of the UK (many of whom have been with them from the outset) and a growing customer base overseas. All of their products are designed by them with the end consumer very much in our thoughts. They aim to provide fabulous products backed up with excellent customer service.
At Earth Squared we are passionate about combining great design and fabulous quality with direct benefits for the artisans that work with us. We have worked closely with fair trade accredited partners in Vietnam for the past 19 years to ensure fair trade criteria are embedded into everyday working life and to create a range of contemporary, stylish and affordable fashion accessories.
They are accredited by the British Association of Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers (BAFTS) and their partners in Vietnam are currently applying for full membership of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO).
The WFTO defines fair trade as “a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.
Fair Trade organisations have a clear commitment to Fair Trade as the principal core of their mission. Backed by consumers, they are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. They can be recognised by the WFTO logo.
Fair Trade is more than just trading: it proves that greater justice in world trade is possible. It highlights the need for change in the rules and practice of conventional trade and shows how a successful business can also put people first.
Lanka Kade
Fair trade wooden toy company, Lanka Kade, was founded in 1994 when business partners Upul and Diane returned to the UK having met in Sri Lanka whilst working for the Red Cross. They did not want to lose contact with the country and the people they both love, therefore they set up a small import business to maintain links with Sri Lanka.
The name Lanka Kade translates to ‘The Sri Lankan Shop’.
Since 1994, Lanka Kade has grown to become an established business based in the heart of the UK specialising in the design, craft and supply of fair trade wooden toys and gifts for children. Their distinctive range of educational toys offers both bright bold colours and natural wood finishes.
Fair Trade
Whilst in Sri Lanka in 1994, Diane and Upul met some local workers outside of a toy factory, only to discover they were ex-employees of the factory, chasing payment for work completed three months earlier. So incensed at this injustice, they decided there and then that they would only buy from people who cared about their workforce.
This was the defining moment for the business and the catalyst which established their fair trade business ethic.
They have direct trading relationships with their producers, Upul travels to Sri Lanka regularly, working with their artisans to ensure fair trade working practices are met and maintained. Their commitment to their producers supports their growth and development, whilst ensuring their employees have a sense of job satisfaction and that their employment is valued. The producer groups offer their staff good rates of pay, equal opportunities and a safe working environment in compliance with the 10 Principles of Fair Trade.
At Lanka Kade, we comply with the internationally accepted 10 Principles of Fair Trade and have been a proud and active member of BAFTS (The British Association of Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers) since 2001, with our Director Diane chairing the board for a couple of years.
Namaste
Ethical • Hand Crafted • Eco Friendly
With a strong ethical policy at our core we aim to buy from small scale producers who use largely natural materials and traditional techniques to produce beautiful and interesting products for our retail customers and independent wholesale clients.
Namaste seeks to support marginalised small producers, aiming to help workers move from income insecurity to economic self sufficiency. The manufacture of goods for them generates income for local communities and enriches lives.
About Namaste and Fair Trade:
https://www.namaste-uk.com/article.php/16/fair-trade
Eco-friendly
https://www.namaste-uk.com/article.php/14/eco-friendly-recycled
Handmade
https://www.namaste-uk.com/article.php/13/handmade
Siesta Crafts
https://www.siestacrafts.co.uk
Siesta’s Story
The story began in 1983 when Chris and Les met in Mexico whilst working as teachers. After spending a year or so together in Mexico they decided to come home to the UK. Unfortunately, by that time the Mexican economy had taken a drastic downturn. So Les and Chris decided to invest the pesos that they had saved, buying some traditional local crafts and clothing to bring back home to sell at the local boot fair!
Luckily, the stock they brought back with them was a hit, so they kept buying more and more! It wasn’t long before they realised there might be longevity in the business and they found a bricks and mortar store in Canterbury.
At first, travelling to the wonderful countries they buy from was a two-person job, but over time, Chris and Les found themselves travelling with their young children Jo and Tim, plus Chris’ mum to help look after the kids whilst they were working!
Travelling to and from the same countries and suppliers with the whole family for over 30 years has cemented many relationships across the world. Quite often when they travel now, it is as much of a reunion as it is for business!
Today you’ll see that we now import directly from all over the world including: Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, India, Bali, Nepal and Thailand.
Traidcraft
After more than 40 years of pioneering in fair trade, Traidcraft exists to demonstrate the best that fair trade can be. As the trading arm of Transform Trade, we support producers around the world to get a fair deal from trade.
How it works
As the trading arm of Transform Trade, Traidcraft sells a small and impactful range of products.
The focus, as always, is on how they can support producers who are creating innovative, transformative products that lead to sustainable income for communities around the world.
Traidcraft exists to demonstrate the best that fair trade can be.
They take what they learn in pioneering ethical, community-transforming products and use that to influence others to improve their practices.
Through collaboration with like minded organisations and ethical partners they use the Traidcraft name to strengthen the wider Fairtrade movement and influence mainstream trade in a positive direction.
True Origin
True Origin Foods works directly with a network of smallholder farmers and producers in the global south to source the finest ethical foods.
As a WFTO Guaranteed Member, True Origin Foods adheres to fair trade principles. They believe this is the fairest way to do business and as a social enterprise based in the West of Scotland, They also apply these principles across our UK operations, creating employment here and striving to reduce their environmental impact.
Their purchases of fine foods help farmers and producer communities receive a fair and reliable income, enabling them to buy equipment, education, infrastructure and take care of their environment.
True Origin Partnerships is the new name for The Balmore Trust, reflecting their close working relationships with True Origin Foods, and with our producer partners and their communities in the global south.
As a charity they aim to empower our partner communities, working with them on locally led development projects, responding to requests for grants, and supporting the fair purchase of their produce through their retail arm, True Origin Foods.
Zaytoun
Zaytoun is a social enterprise inspired by a love of Palestinian culture, communities and cuisine. We exist to support Palestinian farmers through fair trade – 100% of our profits are reinvested into delivering this mission.
Zaytoun 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.
Whether it’s peppery olive oil, fudgy Medjoul dates, sweet crunchy almonds, zesty za’atar, smoky freekeh or nutty maftoul, they’re dedicated to bringing you the very best from Palestine’s fertile groves and fields.
This is no passing foodie trend – Palestinian farmers have been cultivating their lands for thousands of years and continue to do so, despite the challenges of farming under illegal occupation in the West Bank.