The mini-balls are here! These are an often-requested item from our customers (and my four year old) and they turned out wonderfully.

    

They are perfect for fun play at home or the office and a great Fair Trade gift for that sports enthusiast who is so difficult to buy for. Both the mini-soccer ball and the mini-rugby ball are healthy gifts that encourage movement whether you are at home or the office. Something important for all of us!

 

Fair Trade footballs are here!

This is another “World’s First” product…the first-ever certified Fair Trade football made with eco-certified materials.

With soft handling and great performance, this Fair Trade eco-football is destined to become a backyard favorite this Fall.

There’s a great non-profit called Kick Global Warming with a mission to get all North American soccer teams carbon neutral.

The associated costs are incredibly affordable when you consider the long-term positive impact this can have on our environment. In addition to writing a check, you can fight global warming by incorporating a few changes when you head out to play sports:

• Car pool, bicycle, or walk to practice and games,
• Use refillable water bottles,
• Bring snacks that do not have extra wrapping and are not
  shipped from around the globe,
• Hand down cleats to younger players,
• And (of course), buy the only eco-certified sports balls in the country when you wear out your old one.

:)

As I mentioned before, I spend a good portion of my working hours helping a US-based team of abolitionists led by my friend David Batstone.

One of the first items we created to spread the message that children should be free to play, rather than forced to work, was soccer balls that are certified to be stitched by adults - not children - in healthy working conditions. Get your own Free to Play soccer ball (and pick up one of our new Edun shirts while you are on the site)!

A few Sundays ago, a group of abolitionists in DC demonstrated a new form of political statement and advocacy, as a local group of concerned citizens and activists took to the soccer pitch in front of the Mall.

The DC Fight Trafficking and Modern Slavery Meet Up group took on the Washington Soccer Society in a “Free to Play” soccer match. The game was to promote a new fair trade soccer ball, which is guaranteed free from slavery, and promote the fight to combat modern slavery and human trafficking. Read more about the event on their blog and get your own certified Fair Trade soccer ball here.

When kids lead by example they have the power to transform entire communities.

Now kids can win $50,000 for their school in this year-long contest from QuantumShift.TV! The contest is open to elementary, junior high, and senior high schools in the US and Canada.  My favorite thing about this contest is that it makes the school a focal point for social and environmental leadership in its community.

When you sign up, we’d be honored if you would select Fair Trade Sports as your project! Let’s see our eco-friendly Fair Trade soccer balls on your videos!

Here are the details:

• The coolest competition for schools and students who want to make a difference.
• $50,000 of prize value for the winning school.
• Schools design and create a social or environmental project of their choice.
• They document their actions and learning on video throughout the school year.
• Students upload their videos on Quantum Shift TV.
• Everyone markets their project to collect votes for their own project.
• They vote on other schools projects
• All votes cast, received and given, will determine the schools ranking during the competition.
• Ranking will be updated day by day.
• The winners will be selected by a jury of renowned environmental and social entrepreneurs

The folks at Educating For Justice are finishing their work on a new documentary titled “SWEAT”.

Check out their MySpace page which includes video clips, news stories, and a blog. They have a popular educational program called Behind the Swoosh which they bring to colleges, high schools, churches and community groups across the country.

Jennifer Lance recently interviewed us for Green Options.

We discussed everything from Fair Trade soccer balls to our alternative-sleeve tee shirts to us mimicking the Newman’s Own model of giving away all after-tax profits.

I hope you enjoy reading the interview as much as we enjoyed giving it!

School is just around the corner. Grab your free College Care Package from Global Exchange while supplies last!


Well, it’s sort of free. You have to spend $20 in the Global Exchange store first, which believe me, is easy and fun to do!

The package is filled with Fair Trade goodies and educational resources about Fair Trade and makes a great surprise for your college student with as they head back to campus (or a fun reward for yourself).