The Fair Trade initiative is a market-based approach that empowers small growers and craftspeople by organizing them into co-operatives.  Fair Trade’s strategic intent is to work with marginalized producers and workers to achieve economic self-sufficiency and environmental standards.

According to Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO), as of 2007 almost 8 million producers and their families have benefited from Fair Trade projects.¹ The global market for Fair Trade goods experienced significant growth in 2008 and in the face of a global recession, realized sales of about $4.08 billion worldwide, a 22% annual increase.²  An impressive feat that can be attributed to the outstanding partnerships that have evolved between Fair Trade companies such as Alter Eco and the producer communities nurtured by international Fair Trade organizations.

Alter Eco Americas is a small company based in San Francisco and the U.S. branch of a larger European Fair Trade entity based in France. In 1999, Alter Eco opened a small store in the heart of Paris selling fair trade furniture, handcrafts and food products and by 2002, the company was offering a full range of products in Monoprix, the leading urban markets retailer in France.

The chain, with its 267 stores was the Alter Eco’s first retail partner. In addition to Ghanaian chocolate, Ethiopian coffee, Red Bolivian quinoa and African Rooibos tea, the Alter Eco brand is the place for exotic Thai Purple and Red Jasmine Rice.

Sticky rice is a type of rice popular in Asia. Also called glutinous rice, it does not contain gluten but refers to its especially sticky texture when cooked. Alter Eco Purple Jasmine Rice is a fragrant blend of purple and traditional white glutinous rice that has an aesthetic appeal and delicate sweet flavor perfect in dessert.

Sweet pineapple chunks and strawberries add texture and color to Purple Jasmine Rice Pudding, a healthy and delicious rendition of a classic Thai dish. This richly flavorful sticky rice treat uses a clever blend of Lite Silken Tofu and creamy soymilk to replace coconut milk, a traditional ingredient that adds unhealthy levels of saturated fat.

Top this exceptional treat with a dollop of soy whipped cream and enjoy!

Purple Jasmine Rice Pudding

This delicious dessert is made with Alter Eco Fair Trade Purple Jasmine Rice and Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Organic Unrefined Sugars. Sweet!

1 1/3 cup Alter Eco Fair Trade Purple Jasmine Rice, rinsed
2 2/3 cups water
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 cup whole strawberries
1 (12.3 oz.) pkg. Lite silken tofu
1 medium ripe banana
1 cup Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Light Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Organic Cane Sugar
1 cup soymilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
Sprinkle with ground cinnamon

Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan.  Add rice stir and bring to a second boil. Reduce to low, cover and simmer 20 minutes, until water is absorbed. Set aside. Scrape cooked rice into a stovetop and ovenproof 3-quart casserole dish and stir in fruit. Set aside. Place tofu and banana in food processor and blend until smooth. Add sugars, soymilk, cornstarch and vanilla. Process.  Add tofu mixture to rice, stirring to blend. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Place covered casserole in microwave and heat on full power for 5 minutes. Serve warm or cover and refrigerate.

Purple Jasmine Rice Pudding

Nutrition Analysis: per 1 cup serving

Protein 3g, Carbohydrate 23g, Fiber 1g, Fat 1g,
Cholesterol 0 mg, Calcium 43 mg, Sodium 130 mg
Calories 168
from Protein:12%, from Carbohydrate: 83%, from Fat: 5%

Sources:

1. FLO International: Annual Report 2007
2. Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) Global Fairtrade sales increase by 22%. June 10, 2009.