SERRV is dedicated to eradicating poverty through working with thousands of small-scale artisans and farmers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and other developing regions of the world by marketing their handcrafts and foods. Through our work with community-based organizations in more than 30 countries, we create economic opportunity so these artisans and farmers can support their families and themselves. SERRV is a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (formerly IFAT) and a founding member of the Fair Trade Federation.

What is Fair Trade?
All of the items we carry are fairly traded, which means that we participate in a system that not only aims to pay fair wages, but also creates long-term, direct trading relationships based on dialogue, transparency, equity and respect. Fair trade is not about charity; it uses a fair system of exchange to empower producers to develop their own businesses and to foster sustainable development. We follow a set of internationally-accepted fair trade principles and practices that are designed to improve the livelihood of low-income people through alternative trade. Fair trade means creating sustainable and positive change by seeking to achieve greater equity in international trade.

What does it mean to pay fairly for products?
We purchase our products at prices which are set by our artisan and farmer partners. We assist younger groups to learn costing that takes into account all the time and materials used in the process. We strive to ensure all of our partners are making a living wage. With the product mark-up, we pay for international shipping, customs fees, warehouse rent, product development and other forms of assistance, marketing, customer service, fulfillment, discounts for resellers and more.

Principles of Fair Trade
The World Fair Trade Organization has established the following 10 principles that Fair Trade organizations use to guide their day-to-day work:
    Creating Opportunities for Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Producers
    Developing Transparent and Accountable Relationships
    Building Capacity
    Promoting Fair Trade
    Paying Promptly and Fairly
    Assuring Gender Equity
    Supporting Safe and Empowering Working Conditions
    Ensuring the Rights of Children
    Cultivating Environmental Stewardship
    Building Trade Relationships Based on Solidarity, Trust and Mutual Respect
 
Additional Resources
To continue learning about Fair Trade, here are some additional resources:

Fair Trade Institute - maintains an archive of documents, academic research and other publications about Fair Trade
Fair Trade Resource Network Reading List
Fair Trade Federation Reading List
World Fair Trade Organization Studies and Further Reading