Since I came from the world of Fair Trade coffee, alot of folks ask me if I have that little black and white mark on my sports balls from Transfair USA.

The short answer is “not yet” as Transfair USA does not yet certify anything other than agricultural commodities, such as bananas and tea.

All our fairly traded sports balls, including youth soccer balls, volleyballs, and much more are instead certified by Transfair USA’s parent organization, the Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO).

FLO is the umbrella organization to which all country-specific Fair Trade labeling initiatives (like Transfair USA) report. I hope to have Transfair USA join our team in coming years and put their mark on sports balls as a category.

Speaking of Transfair USA, to celebrate World Fair Trade Day (May 12, 2007), they just launched a creative art contest for teachers and students grades 3-12.

The teacher submitting the most entries by May 15 will win one of our fairly traded soccer balls to share with their class. Imagine…a tangible way to remind your students how Fair Trade benefits children in other countries that is also fun on the playground! Learn more.