Press
We have an announcement! Read the press release to learn more.
Behind every one of our handmade products is the story of the resilience of an artisan or farmer who makes a living through fair trade. There are stories of incredible creativity and resourcefulness, of craft traditions preserved and global connections made.
We welcome all inquiries, and are excited to share these stories with your audience. Product samples, high-res images, and artisan profiles are available.
Contact Us: press@serrv.org
About SERRV International
Started in 1949 as one of the first fair trade organizations in the United States, SERRV works to empower small-scale global artisans and farmers through long-term trading partnerships, helping them build sustainable employment, resources, rights, and a vision of hope in their communities.
Today, we work with 50 small-scale artisan and farmer organizations in 24 countries. A nonprofit organization, we offer a selection of global handcrafts and foods made by these producers for sale via the SERRV website and catalogs, as well as through wholesale and online fundraising channels. SERRV also helps to provide these artisans, farmers, and their families with the tools and training they need for happier, healthier lives.
- Nearly 8,000 artisans, farmers, and their families benefit from our partnerships each year
- More than 500,000 fairly traded SERRV handcrafts and food items are sold annually
- $15,000 in COVID-19 relief funds sent to artisan groups around the world in 2020
- 3,800 eyeglasses and 1,983 eye exams provided to artisans in 10 countries through our Eyeglasses for Artisans program and our partnership with the Wisconsin Lions Foundation's Eyeglass Recycling Center.
We pay our artisan and farmer partners a fair wage, in advance, for orders. We also develop educational opportunities, skills training, and additional resources to help our partners grow sustainable businesses and communities.
SERRV employs approximately 30 full-time and part-time individuals in its offices in Madison, Wisconsin and Westminster, Maryland and its warehouse in New Windsor, Maryland. SERRV also works with wholesale partners to bring handcrafts to businesses across the United States.
