We Are SERRV

Fantastic Fair Trade for Over 60 Years

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A Haitian Vacation

Our Volunteer Coordinator recently went on vacation to Haiti, where Comite Artisanal Haitien (a cooperative of Haitian artisans who work with Serrv) and Singing Rooster (a Madison based coffee distributor that works directly with Haitian mountain farmers) are located.  

The Volunteer Coordinator went to the south of Haiti not for work, but for vacation.  To show a side of Haiti most people don’t see, she has captured her experience in GIFs for your enjoyment. 

Everyone else on the plane is there on a mission trip.

Me? Oh, I’m just vacation.

You get out of the plane and into the longest customs line of your life.

You take a moto taxi to the bus station and pray that you don’t crash.

You try to pay for the taxi with Haitian money.

“3 Haitian dollars? I think I only have Gourdes.”

Realizing your years of French have not prepared you for Haitian Creole

You take an “air conditioned” bus.

You arrive at night and the power is out.

You wake up and your hair is four times shorter due to the humidity. 

Taking a shower when the hot water is gone.   

For breakfast, so much fresh fruit!                                                                                    

You go outside to meet your neighbors and everyone is so friendly! 

And welcoming...      

Someone offers you Banane.

Someone offers you a manage (boyfriend) 

You finally make it to the beach!

You spend all day in the water.

And get a heinous sunburn

Spend the night dancing to Compas music

You drink from a fresh coconut

You’re now a professional moto taxi passenger!

You have become friends with all your neighbors.

And you can eat a mango without getting juice all over your face. 

Then you realize you have to leave Haiti 

You say goodbye to all your friends

And you start planing your return trip !

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When you choose Fair Trade tea, you’re helping people like Kulavoti provide a better future for their families.

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Did you know most cocoa farmers have never tasted chocolate? Watch this video to learn more.

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Fairtrade International CEO Harriet Lamb on the changing landscape in ethical sourcing and how far we have to go. Read her full thoughts in this Huffington Post blog.

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Ghana’s Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union is celebrating its 20th birthday this month! The #Fairtrade cocoa cooperative has grown from just 6 members in 1993 to over 85,000 in 2014. The Fairtrade cocoa cooperative, and part owners of the popular Divine Chocolate brand, is now the biggest farmers’ co-operative organization in Ghana. Pick up a bar of Divine Chocolate and give this story a read.

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Today we honor an inspirational poet, activist & strong woman who inspired generations.

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Ethically Made Flats and Heels by Love is Mighty

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Too cute!

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Daal

Daal (also spelled dhal and dal) is a thick, hearty lentil dish from India, and it makes a wonderful dinner on its own or a great side dish with your favorite curry, grilled meat or vegetables. Here's an easy way to make a big batch with our Lentil Soup Mix from the fantastic Women's Bean Project, based in Denver, CO.

1 package Women's Bean Project Lentil Soup Mix

olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp curry powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp coriander

4 cups vegetable broth

salt

basmati rice, to serve (optional)

1) The night before, empty the lentils into a large bowl, setting the spice packet aside. Cover the lentils with cold water and let them soak until you're ready to cook.

2) Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until translucent. Add the contents of the spice packet, curry powder, cumin, and coriander and cook for another 2 minutes.

3) Add the lentils to the pan, spreading them out evenly, and cover with vegetable broth. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 45 minutes-1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the daal has a very thick consistency and the lentils are soft. Check for seasoning, and add salt to taste if you like. 

4) For a filling vegetarian meal, serve the daal over cooked rice, or serve it alongside your favorite curry dish. Serves 3-4 as a main course or 6 as an accompaniment.

Notes:

When I originally tried this recipe, I used about 3 cups of broth and cooked the daal for 45 minutes. At this point the yellow split peas were still a bit al dente, but that didn't bother me. I'd recommend adding more broth and a longer cooking time for a more uniform texture.

Get creative with your seasonings! Try throwing in some fresh ginger (with the garlic and onion), cayenne pepper, garam masala...whatever strikes your fancy. Some chopped cilantro would add a great freshness as a garnish.

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We don’t want charity. We just want the opportunity to work together with you, and to work our own way out of the challenges we face.

Magda Reza, Sonomoro Coffee Cooperative, Peru (via fairtrademarkus)

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Things to do with Handmade Paper #2

Recycled paper is perfect for decoupage (fancy French word for gluing paper to other stuff) because of it's pliant, fibrous texture. Use Mod Podge or a 50/50 solution of white glue and water and a sponge brush to deck out a picture frame, trinket box, switchplate, lampshade...you name it! We used this technique to brighten up our necklace displays in the store.

Handmade recycled cotton wrapping paper available in a variety of colors and patterns for $3.99/roll.

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Let’s Trade: Anthropologie

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Fair trade swaps for brand names-love it!

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Things to do with Handmade Paper #1

Make a cute heart paper chain! We use 1" by 9" inch strips of our recycled wrapping paper and staples for this one. Cupid approves.

Handmade recycled cotton wrapping paper available in a variety of colors and patterns for $3.99/roll.

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Living wage vs Minimum wage vs Fair wage

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In his article “Minimum’ vs. ‘Fair’ vs. ‘Living’ Wages “, Eric Krell helps us understand the differences between living wage, minimum wage and fair wage. 

Definitely worth the read if you've ever been confused about fair trade wages. The more you know!

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Do you agree?  ;) Thanks for supporting Fair Trade this Valentine’s Day!

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Too true, Mr. Schulz, too true.

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Buzzword: kisii

What it means: a type of soapstone named after the Southwestern Kenyan city in which it is mined. Soapstone is mined around the world and comes in a variety of colors and patterns, but most kisii soapstone is white, cream, lavender, or black and lends itself well to etching and dyeing. Because it is non-porous, maintains temperature well, and is soft enough to carve easily, soapstone is ideal for decorative pieces, counter tops, and kitchen items.

At the SERRV store: These beautiful kisii trivets are hand carved, dyed, and etched by artisans from the Nyabigena Soapstone Carvers' Cooperative. They make a bright addition to any table and would be just as at home displayed on a wall.

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Cocoa Connoisseur

By this time of year, plain hot chocolate seems a little passe. So why not try something new to stave off those bitter January winds?

If you like it rich: Dark hot chocolate has a more nuanced cocoa flavor and is a little less sweet than a typical hot chocolate mix, which makes it the perfect partner for a sweeter pastry or cookie. It would also make a sumptuous homemade mocha.

If you like it zesty: Chili and spice hot chocolate blends cocoa with chili, ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla for a cup with a kick! Pass around cups of this with mixed nuts and tortilla chips at a casual party, or try it with with a Mexican pastry like churros or pan dulce.

If you're a chocoholic: Drinking chocolate is actually finely grated or ground chocolate as opposed to the mixture of cocoa powder and powdered milk that many Americans are used to, and when melted in warm milk it creates a decadent drink similar to the hot chocolate enjoyed in Italy, France and Spain. Pour this one into tiny espresso cups and top with a cloud of fresh whipped cream for a sophisticated end to a meal.

All three of these tasty mixes come from Camino and are made with 100% fair trade cocoa from Peru and the Dominican Republic.

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History Lesson: Incense

Incense has been used for thousands of years in religious ceremonies and services, as well as for its pleasant aroma, all around the world. The earliest use of incense can be traced back to ancient Egypt and Babylon, where it was burned in homes and in temples when prayers were offered. Since then, incense has become a fixture in Catholic, Orthodox, Buddhist, and Taoist worship, and many people around the world burn it just for aesthetic reasons. 

Incense can be made from a large variety of wood resins, herbs, and aromatic oils. These ingredients traditionally vary by region, but wide varieties of incense can be found for sale in many Western stores. These sometimes include decidedly non-traditional, artificial scents of fruits and candies, but traditional incense like sandalwood, nag champa, cedar, and patchouli remain the most popular.

At the SERRV store, we sell handmade Tibetan incense in several different scents. Pick some up today and fill your home with a scent thousands of years in the making.