New in Produce - Yes, We Have Fair Trade Bananas

Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 May 2012 18:40 Tuesday, 01 May 2012 00:00

What's In Store - New in Produce

Andy Rizos,
Produce Manager

Bananas are unlike any other fruit. Take some time to consider the meaning of fair-trade bananas this month.

This month, I've got some thoughts on bananas from our Equal Exchange representative, Nicole Vitello: 

"Bananas aren't local or seasonal. There's only one variety. They are grown in far-away places by people generally without access to the global trading market. For products like bananas, tea, coffee and cocoa, how can you apply the values you use when joining a CSA or becoming a member of GreenStar? Fair trade helps to address this problem. A fair-trade banana is not the same as a conventional banana, or even an organic banana. It's the concept behind the banana that makes it different, not the actual fruit itself. The Equal Exchange fair-trade banana represents the relationship with small farmers who don't live in your neighborhood. It represents not only GreenStar's relationship with Equal Exchange but with CEPIBO, APOQ and GUABO, the banana farmers growing your fruit halfway around the world. Learn more at www.beyondthepeel.com."