Fair Trade Rice and Spice

Naturally scented, organic... delicious!  Jasmine rice from Equita is available in pure white, whole-grain brown, and whole-grain red.  Grown in the de Isan region of Thailand, the rice releases a natural perfume similar to the jasmine flower.  The first and only importer of Fair Trade rice in Canada, Equita strives to empower rice producers to improve their living and working conditions through sustainable projects and practices.

Equita partners with Thai farmers through a cooperative called Green Net.  Green Net brings together 1000 families who produce organic rice, conditioning and packaging the rice on site so that more profits stay at the local level.  Green Net uses traditional methods of rice cultivation which preserves valuable skills, the environment, and the seeds of roughly 3000 local rice varieties that are endangered due to industrial agricultural practices and the threat of patenting by the United States.  The co-op uses natural fertilizers and plant extracts.  Green Net is the first and major organic food wholesaler in Thailand.

In addition to the three varieties of Jasmine Rice, Ten Thousand Villages also carried Equita spices.  Sri Lankan Curry, Cinnamon, Ginger, Whole Black Pepper, and Whole Nutmeg... all organic and Fair Trade.  Join us on Saturday, July 2nd and try some Mediterranean Rice Salad!

Eswatini Preserves = Nom nom nom!

Ten Thousand Villages features a great line of preserves from the Eswatini kitchens of Swaziland.  Jams, chutneys, marmalades, and sauces are all made from 100% natural ingredients with no artificial colourants, flavours or preservatives.  The women of Eswatini Kitchen purchase their fruits and vegetables for fair prices from over 400 local farmers and growers.  Lemons, guavas, wild marula, and chilis have also been hand picked by women and families throughout Swaziland.  These tasty products have been made to meet stringent international standards for quality and safety.

Eswatini Kitchen was established in 1991 by a Catholic priest and an Anglican nun in order to create jobs for impoverished women.  The women earn above minimum wage and are paid double for overtime.  Employees receive a pension, free healthcare, and literacy classes.  The Manzini Youth Care (MYC) is also subsidized through Eswatini.  MYC provides a loving home, good food, and education to thousands of street children and orphans.  MYC also provides schooling and trades training to other at-risk youth.  MYC believes that recreational programs help to build esteem and self-discipline.


We will be sampling Eswatini products in store on Saturday, June 25th.  Come on in and try some Mango Jam, Fruit Chutney, or the hot hot hot Swazi Fire Sauce.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to our blog for Ten Thousand Villages Saskatoon East.  We are a non-profit fair trade shop located in The Centre at Circle and 8th Street in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  On our blog you will find all sorts of great and interesting things.  We will feature different products and artisans, recipes, stories, and keep you up-to-date on what is happening in our store.