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SERRV International

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SERRV International
Company typeNon-profit organization
Founded1949; 75 years ago (1949)
HeadquartersNew Windsor, Maryland, United States
Key people
Loreen Epp, President/CEO
ProductsHandicrafts, coffee, chocolate
RevenueIncrease$9.35 million USD (2020)
Websiteserrv.org

SERRV International is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit, based in Madison, Wisconsin[1] and operating in the United States, Africa, Asia and Latin America. It began operations in Europe in 1949,[2] and now runs 200 retail stores in 24 countries around the world, with artisans in 40 developing regions.[3][4] In 2005 it had annual sales of over $8.5 million.[5]

History

SERRV was established by the Church of the Brethren in 1949 as the Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocation, to help refugees in Europe recover economically and socially in the aftermath of World War II.[2][6] The acronym SERRV was later changed to stand for "Sustainable Employment, Resources, Rights and Vision".[7]

Philosophy

SERRV is an Alternative Trading Organization (ATO)[6] and member of the Fair Trade Federation.[8] Among ATOs, SERRV stands out for its use of alternative distribution channels, primarily partnerships with US churches and organizations like the Christian Children's Fund, Catholic Relief Services, and Lutheran World Relief.[1][6]


References

  1. ^ a b DeCarlo, Jacqueline (May 2007). Fair Trade and How It Works. Rosen. p. 62. ISBN 9781448818655.
  2. ^ a b History of Fair Trade in North America. Fair Trade Federation. Accessed January 2022.
  3. ^ Our Story. SERRV International. Accessed January 2022.
  4. ^ Milgram, B. Lynne; Grimes, Kimberly M. (12 July 2022). Artisans and Cooperatives: Developing Alternative Trade for the Global Economy. University of Arizona. p. 17. ISBN 9780816550081.
  5. ^ SERRV International (2005). Annual Report 2005. SERRV International. Archived 30 September 2006.
  6. ^ a b c Littrell, Mary Ann; Dickson, Marsha Ann (20 July 1999). Social Responsibility in the Global Market. SAGE. pp. 89–113. ISBN 9780761914648.
  7. ^ Fair Trade. SERRV International. Accessed January 2022.
  8. ^ History of Fair Trade in North America. Fair Trade Federation. Accessed January 2022.
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