3 Great Ways To Celebrate Fair Trade Month

October is Fair Trade Month! At SERRV, we celebrate fair trade every day of the year, but this month is a great opportunity to reflect on its importance and how we're making a difference in lives around the globe.

How SERRV is a different kind of business

As a 100% verified fair trade organization, fair trade is who we are. Everything we do supports fair trade--not just a few of our hundreds of handmade products.

Since 1949, we've built long-term relationships rooted in transparency and accountability. Today, we support 8000+ artisans and farmers in over 40 fair trade social enterprises in many ways. We:

• Prepay for orders, offering 50% up front and the rest when the order ships
• Provide design and quality assurance training to help artisans succeed
• Offer financial assistance when our partners experience disasters or need equipment
• Support our partners' community improvement initiatives, including education opportunities for children, health clinics for artisans, and environmental protection projects
• Adhere to fair trade principles in everything we do

Our mission is to build sustainable employment, resources, rights, and a vision of hope in communities worldwide, and we do that in collaboration with our global partners and the fair trade community.

How you can support fair trade

Fair Trade Month is also a time to think about how we as individuals can continue to support fair trade. But where do you start?

Spread the word about fair trade

One of the best ways you can support fair trade is by telling others about it. By sharing the mission and purpose behind fair trade, you help others become aware of how important it is to support. Need someplace to start? Visit our Fair Trade page! You can also visit the Fair Trade Federation's website. Co-founded by SERRV in 1994, the FTF is an association dedicated to equitable and sustainable fair trade organizations here in the United States, and is a leader in fair trade.

Purchase fair trade products

This holiday season, you'll see products from thousands of companies. Unfortunately, we don't always know where and how their products are made. When you purchase fair trade handcrafts, however, you know where your gift is coming from and you directly support small-scale artisans and farmers.

From artisan chocolate and organic coffee to decorative baskets and eco-friendly gifts, you'll find something for everyone. Plus, there are many benefits to buying fair trade.

• Fair trade products are high quality. Fair trade artisans and farmers have high expectations when it comes to the quality of their handcrafts and foods, and use top-notch materials and ingredients when making their products.
• Fair trade products are unique. Fair trade crafts are made of recycled or natural materials, so you're getting a one-of-a-kind, handmade global gift.
• Fair trade products are affordable. While fair trade might sound out of your budget, a handmade craft or food is actually very affordable! We have gifts starting at just $6, from stocking stuffers to wedding gifts and more. Shop affordable gifts under $20 here.
• Fair trade products make a difference. When you buy ethically-made products, you're supporting the artisan or farmer behind that handcraft or food, helping them earn a source of vital income through their crafts and crops. Plus, you're ensuring materials are ethically sourced, the environment is being cared for throughout the process, and traditional crafting techniques are being preserved for future generations.

Need gift ideas? Check out our Eco-Friendly or Holiday Gift Guides for inspiration, or visit our Gifts page.

Pick a handcrafted gift this season! Our Kantha Dish Towels and other ethically made kitchen textiles are perfect for Christmas, wedding gifts & and more.

Shop at your local fair trade store

There are tons of reasons to shop your local fair trade store! From supporting your community and stimulating the local economy to getting to know business owners and receiving personalized customer service, it's hard to argue with shopping small. Those extra dollars are making a difference-- not just for the business owners, but also the artisans and farmers you're supporting when you shop fair trade in your city.

Want to know if you have a store near you? Use our Store Locator to find a fair trade store carrying SERRV products near you.

Still have questions about fair trade and what you can do to learn more? Email us at marketing@serrv.org.

As always, thank you for your support of SERRV and our mission to partner with global artisans and farmers as they build a sustainable future for themselves and their families through fair trade.