The story behind Meru Herbs

Based in rural Kenya, Meru Herbs began life as part of a community water project. What started as an effort to improve access to clean water has grown into a successful fair trade enterprise producing organic jams, sauces and herbal teas while creating employment and opportunities for local people.

A community-led beginning

The story of Meru Herbs dates back to 1989, when a water project was established to improve access to clean water in the local community.

Once the project was up and running, residents faced an important challenge: how could it be maintained and funded in the long term?

The solution was to create an income-generating business that could support the project while creating local jobs. Meru Herbs was established and began producing value-added food products using ingredients grown by local farmers.

More than 30 years later, the cooperative continues to support both livelihoods and community development.

Creating opportunities through fair trade

From the beginning, Meru Herbs has operated according to fair trade principles, helping ensure that producers and workers benefit directly from the success of the business.

The organisation creates employment opportunities within the local community, particularly for women and young people. These jobs provide income, skills development and greater financial independence, helping families invest in their futures.

Today, hundreds of small-scale producers contribute to the cooperative, supplying ingredients that are transformed into the products enjoyed by customers around the world.

From farm to finished product

The True Origin Meru Herbs range arranged together on a table against a blue background

Meru Herbs works with local farmers who grow ingredients including tropical fruits, tomatoes and hibiscus using organic farming methods.

These ingredients are carefully processed into a range of jams, sauces and teas at the Meru Herbs production facility. Both the farms and processing unit are organically certified, reflecting a commitment to quality, sustainability and responsible production.

Every stage of the process is carefully managed to ensure the finished products are both delicious and ethically produced.

Working with True Origin

Bringing products from rural Kenya to UK customers requires strong partnerships.

Meru Herbs works with fair trade importer True Origin, an organisation dedicated to supporting producers and helping ethical products reach a wider audience. Through this partnership, Meru Herbs has been able to strengthen quality standards, develop new opportunities and continue investing in the future of the cooperative.

Looking ahead

Meru Herbs continues to look for ways to grow while staying true to the principles on which it was founded. Future plans include supporting more producers, creating additional employment opportunities and expanding the range of products available to customers.

Alongside this growth, the cooperative remains committed to sustainable farming, responsible production and supporting the local community that helped build its success.

Discover the range

From fruity jams and rich sauces to refreshing herbal teas, Meru Herbs products combine great taste with a strong commitment to fair trade and community development.

Explore our True Origin Meru Herbs range and discover the story behind every jar, bottle and box.

Sustainable store cupboard staples for easy summer entertaining

It’s summertime, which in the UK usually means it’s blazing hot one minute and hailing the next. That famously changeable British weather means you never quite know what you’re going to get – blame the jet stream – so planning a garden party can be tricky. When a sunny day does arrive and you feel like inviting people round, you don’t want the additional work of getting drinks and snacks in.

This guide covers sustainable store cupboard essentials for easy summer entertaining, so you can create an eco-friendly garden party without last-minute stress.

A well-stocked pantry makes it much easier to host at a moment’s notice. Here’s a quick guide to our favourite sustainable store cupboard essentials.

Drinks

Sustainable drinks and alcohol-free options for easy summer entertaining.

Drinks are usually the priority on a sunny day. Get those ice cubes jingling and little umbrellas twirling and the good times can roll. Having a few ready-to-serve options on hand makes entertaining effortless, with options for adults, kids and alcohol-free guests.

Nibbles

A packet of salt and vinegar love corn against a blue background

Easy, eco-friendly snacks that require zero preparation.

Who wants to cook when it’s hot? Sometimes you just want to open a packet – maybe pour it into a bowl if you’re feeling extra fancy. Be ready to go at a moment’s notice with these ready-to-eat snacks.

Dips & spreads

Two jars of Olive Branch tapenade shot from above

Another easy option, and one that always goes down well in hot weather. A small range of spreads can easily cater to all tastes. There’s something irresistibly summery about digging into a cool, refreshing dip – just add chips, crusty bread or crudités.

Condiments

Three Olive Branch salad dressings stood side by side

A quick way to liven up your salads, rice dishes or cold cuts. Add a few condiments to your table and even the simplest dish can have a bit of added zing. Plus, they tend to be versatile and long-lasting, so nothing has to go to waste.

Chocolate

A snack for all seasons. No one’s going to object to these coming out at the garden party. Just make sure you keep them somewhere cool, so they melt in your mouth and not anywhere else.

Keep it sustainable

Choosing sustainable store cupboard staples means you’re always ready for eco-friendly entertaining without last-minute waste.

Some things to keep in mind when putting together your party pantry:

Shelf life – will it keep until the next festive opportunity?
Adaptable – does it suit every occasion?
Free from – is it suitable for your vegan or gluten-free guests?
Versatile – will it pair well with your other choices?

Let’s get started

With a well-stocked selection of sustainable store cupboard staples, you’ll always be ready for effortless summer entertaining. Shop with Natural Collection and keep your hosting both easy and more eco-friendly.

How a small producer from Eswatini is reshaping flavour with purpose

Some of the most distinctive products on our shelves come from brands that think far beyond food. One of those is Black Mamba Foods – in partnership with True Origin – a producer of chilli sauces, pestos and jams that carries a deeper mission alongside its bold flavours.

What makes their range stand out isn’t just taste, but the system behind it: regenerative agriculture, smallholder partnerships, and a strong commitment to community impact.

Bringing meaningful producers to the UK

The members of the Black Mamba production team

True Origin work to connect UK customers with producers who are often far removed from mainstream retail supply chains.

The goal is simple: make it easier for shoppers to discover foods that are both high quality and transparently made. All while ensuring producers receive recognition for the value they create at origin.

For Black Mamba, this partnership helps their products reach a wider audience of consumers who are actively looking for ethical, traceable food with real provenance.

A brand built from a gap in the food system

Black Mamba was founded in 2010 after a clear imbalance was spotted in Eswatini. Despite strong agricultural potential, most vegetables were being imported rather than grown locally for domestic value chains.

The idea behind the business was to shift that pattern by:

creating fair market access for smallholder farmers
building skills in organic and regenerative farming
producing value food locally

Over time, this model has helped over 60 smallholder farms and employs a team that is around 95% women.

What goes into every jar

Four hands holding different colour chilies

Behind every bottle or jar is a production system that prioritises care over scale.

Ingredients such as chillies, fruits and herbs are grown using chemical-free, regenerative methods that focus on soil health and long-term productivity. Once harvested, they are processed in small batches to preserve both flavour and integrity.

The result is a range of products that are bold, vibrant and closely tied to their origin.

Impact beyond the product

What makes Black Mamba particularly notable is the structure around the products themselves.

Their model supports:

smallholder farmers receiving fair and stable income
a workforce that is predominantly women in skilled role
reduced reliance on imported produce in local markets

From field to finished product

Production begins in rural farming communities, where growers are trained in organic and permaculture-inspired techniques. These methods avoid synthetic chemicals and instead focus on soil regeneration and biodiversity.

Once harvested, fresh ingredients are transported to their facility in Matsapha, where they are transformed into finished products by a skilled production team.

Sustainability practices are embedded throughout the process, including:

glass packaging designed for recyclability
less than 3% landfill waste through recycling and composting systems
food safety standards are backed by FSSC22000 certification

It’s a production approach that aims to balance craft, safety, and environmental responsibility.

Shop the range

When you choose Black Mamba, you’re not just buying a condiment. You’re supporting a food system that values people, flavour, and the future equally.

Product recall: Essential Trading

Essential Trading is recalling the product below with immediate effect. Internal investigation has shown that the product may have been insufficiently thermally treated/sterilised. As a result, it cannot be ruled out that harmful micro-organisms may be present in the product that may pose a risk to public health.

Product details

Product Name: Organic Baked Beans in tomato sauce
Product Code: 394113
Brand: Essential Trading
Content: 350 grams
THT date: 31-12-2029
Lot code: LB226056 (see side of lid)
EAN code: 5029220857695

Health hazard

Consumption of this product may lead to health problems. Consumers are urged not to eat or use the product.

What you should do:

Check if you have bought the affected best before date of the product
Do not consume the product
Contact us with an image showing the Best Before Date and Lot Code for a full refund

For additional information, consumers can contact:

Essential Trading Email: care@essential-trading.coop
Essential Trading apologises for the inconvenience caused.