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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.

Best ethical clothing brands for sustainable summer style

At Natural Collection we’re committed to bringing you the best in sustainable fashion and ethical clothing brands in the UK and beyond. You can focus on finding your style and rest assured we’ve got everything else covered.

From slow fashion clothing to fair trade and eco-friendly materials, these brands are helping reshape the fashion industry for the better.

Check out some of our favourite brands and their ethical credentials below.

Lily & Me – ethical clothing made in their own factory

Close up of a woman wearing a Lily & Me seersucker dress

Transparency and traceability are key issues in the fashion supply chain, but they’re easily solved by simply owning your own factory. That’s what Lily & Me do, meaning they can ensure not just fair pay and good working conditions but also the most eco-friendly manufacturing methods.

In 2024 they were named “Sustainable Brand of the Year” by Boutique Magazine.

Their use of low-impact fabrics and thoughtful design makes them a strong example of ethical summer clothing, from breathable seersucker dresses to timeless wardrobe staples.

Nomads – slow fashion clothing built to last

A woman wearing a pair of Nomads wide leg jeans in green and a green and white frilled top.

In a world dominated by fast fashion and its environmental and social costs, Nomads are proud to embrace the slow fashion label.

Their small-batch clothing is made using sustainable materials such as:

Organic cotton
Eco-friendly viscose derived from wood pulp

By prioritising durability and ethical sourcing, Nomads help reduce textile waste and encourage conscious consumption. Their wide leg jeans and frill shirt are designed to be worn for years, not seasons.

Komodo – sustainable fashion supporting rainforest conservation

Close up of a person wearing a komodo jersey top in blue

As members of 1% For The Planet, Komodo donate 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes – specifically the Sumatran Orangutan Society.

Their mission supports rainforest conservation and ecosystem restoration while producing stylish, ethical clothing such as this jersey top and chambray culottes.

Natural World – organic and eco-friendly footwear

The shoemakers at Natural World use only organic raw materials like cotton, cork and rubber. Their centuries-old eco-friendly production process is designed to minimise environmental impact while maintaining comfort and durability.

They create shoes for adults and children alike, all packaged in recycled and recyclable cardboard boxes. Their classic designs like these marino blue sandals will keep your feet cool during the hot weather.

White Stuff – Fairtrade cotton clothing for everyday wear

A close up of a woman wearing a White Stuff striped cardigan

The cotton farmers supplying White Stuff aren’t just paid the Fairtrade Minimum Price – the cooperatives also receive a Fairtrade Premium to fund schooling, healthcare and irrigation systems.

White Stuff are currently the biggest UK fashion retailer of Fairtrade Sourced Cotton and they show no signs of slowing down.

A 100% cotton garment is just the thing for summer – treat yourself to a leaf print shirt or a green stripe cardigan.

Pachamama – handmade knitwear with ethical production

Close up of a woman wearing the Pachamama knitted sun hat

The antidote to mass-produced clothing, Pachamama’s bespoke and ever-changing designs mean you’ll always stand out from the crowd.

Pachamama have formed close relationships with their suppliers and ensure good working conditions and fair pay.

The clothing is mostly produced by villagers who can fit their knitting around other work and family commitments. Knitwear might not be your first thought in warm weather, but a daisy sun hat will keep you nice and cool on a sunny day.

Why choose sustainable fashion brands?

Choosing ethical clothing brands helps reduce environmental impact, supports fair wages, and encourages responsible production methods.

By investing in slow fashion and sustainable materials, you’re helping to create a more responsible and transparent fashion industry.

Explore our full collection of eco-friendly clothing and sustainable fashion brands to shop more consciously this season.

Easter shopping guide

Easter is just over a month away – whether you’re looking for a traditional egg or something more unique, Natural Collection has you covered. Here’s some of our favourite ethical Easter treats.

Booja Booja

Say no to disposable single-use packaging with Booja Booja’s quirky take on the Easter egg, a gorgeously hand-painted egg-shaped box full of vegan-friendly gluten-free truffles, in flavours ranging from honeycomb to hazelnut. Once empty you can use it to store jewellery and odds & ends. A larger box is also available with champagne or salted caramel truffles.

Mummy Meegz

Vegan chocolate experts Mummy Meegz specialise in replacements for your favourite choccy treats, and their Easter range is no different. Their signature Chuckie Eggs and Chickie Eggs mean vegans don’t have to miss out on the classic goodies at this time of year. If you can’t get enough of their oat milk chocolate, give this charming Easter bunny a go.

Catherine’s Originals

Enjoy more dairy-free variations on classic chocolate bars courtesy of Catherine’s Originals. Their O’Bar is packed full of almond and vegan-friendly honeycomb and also comes in white, pistachio and raspberry ripple varieties.

Montezuma’s

Montezuma’s organic Easter egg range has everything you could possibly want. A dark chocolate egg that’s 100% cocoa solids? All yours. White chocolate strawberry cheesecake? Sorted. Hot cross bun truffle bites? Why not. A salted caramel chocolate chicken? Say no more.

Chococo

With their angular paint-splattered look, award-winning Dorset chocolatiers Chococo make Easter stylish and unique – and sustainable thanks to their recyclable plastic-free packaging and support for conservation and reforestation projects. Their oatmilk chocolate bunnies and dark chocolate orange eggs are perfect gifts for vegan chocolate lovers.

Moo Free

As the name suggests, you won’t find a hint of dairy in Moo Free’s chocolate – it’s all made with fair trade cocoa too. Each egg comes with an accompanying chocolate bar of the same flavour, from cherry bakewell to rocky road. Grab their egg hunt kit for a bit of Easter fun with the kids.

Tony’s Chocolonely

Ending exploitation and inequality in the cocoa farming industry is at the centre of Tony’s Chocolonely’s operation, and they make a delicious Easter eggs along the way, especially when it’s infused with salted caramel. For a chance to sample their most popular flavours, try their chocolate egg mix.

Cartwright & Butler

Sick of chocolate? Cartwright and Butler provide an alternative range of sweet treats this Easter, such as their Easter biscuits, sultana-studded and flavoured with lemon oil. Or try their simnel loaf cake, a classic British springtime dessert. Both come beautifully presented in ornate reusable tins.

Who are Traidcraft Exchange?

Traidcraft Exchange’s mission is to use the power of trade to create lasting solutions to poverty.

In theory, trade should be beneficial for everyone involved. As goods and money are exchanged everyone should benefit. However, in global trade this doesn’t happen. In a lot of cases global trade feeds the rich and exploits the poor and therefore traps people in poverty.

Everyone should be paid fairly for their work no matter which country you live in. When trade is done right, no one will live in poverty.

Divine Chocolate’s Minty Matcha Chocolate Nut Butter Cups

We love these rich and indulgent dark mint chocolate thick-shelled cups by Divine Chocolate. They’re filled with a creamy and vibrant green matcha cashew butter filling. They are easy to make, taste delicious and are naturally vegan, gluten-free and packed with flavour.

Time: 15 minutes plus setting time

Makes: 6 large or 10-12 small cups

Zaytoun Palestinian Recipes

Zaytoun was founded in 2004 to support the resilience and livelihoods of Palestinian farmers under occupation through fairly trading their olive oil. Zaytoun was initially funded by hundreds of customers who put up payment in advance of receiving their oil, through this they were able to establish themselves as a UK social enterprise.

Since its beginnings, Zaytoun has continued to evolve and develop and by receiving funding from Triodos Bank they now offer a wide range of Palestinian artisan foods and supported Palestinian farmers to pioneer the world’s first Fairtrade certified olive oil in 2009, sold through the UK market.

All of Zaytoun’s products can be used to make some delicious and nutritious plates of food. Take a look at some of Zaytoun’s recipes below:

Zaytoun and its Producers

Zaytoun also run two trips a year for customers to visit Palestine and learn more about life for a farming family there and bring producers to the UK once a year for Fairtrade Fortnight.

Read just some of the stories of their amazing producers here:

Brand Story: Nkuku

Nkuku produce beautifully handmade home and lifestyle products. Every one of their products has a story to tell through the talented artisans that created them.

Nkuku was founded in 2003 by Ali and Alex Cooke. The brand was inspired after the pair set off on a year-long round the world trip. Through their travels, Ali and Alex were inspired and humbled by the talented craftspeople and their beautiful work. Upon returning from travelling they moved from their busy London home to rural Devon to start their next adventure.

Completely inspired and amazed by their travels, they then started to work with artisans from around the world. Ali and Alex were passionate about supporting and celebrating these artisan skills through bringing their products to a wider audience and sharing their talents with the world.

Brand Story: GoodWeave

GoodWeave’s vision is a world that is free of child labour. Established 25 years ago, GoodWeave consists of an award-winning team of business-minded experts and advocates for social change dedicated to ending child labour, forced labour and bonded labour in global supply chains.

GoodWeave primarily operate within the rug industry but have now expanded to home textiles, apparel and fashion jewellery.

They work to lead an overall reduction in child labour as well as the freedom and education of these children. The holistic approach that they have aims to heal and educate children who have been exploited, whilst also underlying the root causes.

Brand Story: Nomads

Nomads is a contemporary Fairtrade clothing brand in which everything produced is made with natural and organic fibres. Along with this, Nomads celebrates great design and traditional artisan techniques.

Nomads’ mission is to prove that it is possible to live a stylish, sustainable life by creating high quality and long-lasting clothing. They also wish to increase the awareness of the need to shop responsibly.

Nomads has been creating ethical and Fairtrade clothing for over 30 years. Its founders Duncan and Vicky met in India where they fell in love with the culture and decided to invest in their first selection of Fairtrade handicrafts. This was the starting point for their now lifelong relationships they have with the artisan producers and Fairtrade factories in India. They now design and create contemporary clothing that is 100% ethically produced and celebrates artisan skills. Nomads strives to use the best quality natural fibres and environmentally friendly processes with their clothes designed to last.