Two familiar companies based in San Leandro were featured in a back-to-school story in Thursday’s USA Today.

The story focused on the newest backpack craze: They’re not being used to carry just books and sandwiches anymore. They’re now fashion statements, and both JanSport and The North Face — which are both located on Farralon Drive — are leading the trend, according to the article.

Two San Leandro companies putting the city on the map, I guess you could say.

Now, all I want to know is why so many teenagers these days wear those baby-sized backpacks with the cartoon characters on the front. If that isn’t a fashion statement, then I don’t know what is.