Small Farmers. Big Change.

Bananas. 

There’s a lot going on in the industry right now… and if it weren’t so tragic, it could almost be entertaining.

• Dole goes Fair Trade while at the same time advertising the World’s Largest Banana Display selling bananas for 20 cents/pound.  That’s right, 20 cents a pound… and that leaves… how many pennies for the banana farmer?  One hand promotes Fair Trade while the other slashes prices promoting a race to the bottom for banana farmers?  Hmmm, that sounds Fair.

• Chiquita is the target of lawsuits and investigations of their financing of right-wing para-military death squads in Colombia.  More recently, questions have been raised about possible links to the military coup in Honduras… After all, deposed President Zelaya had received flak from Chiquita and Dole after he raised the minimum  wage of farmworkers by 60% shortly before he was forced to leave the country at gunpoint.

• Now, we learn of price wars throughout Europe (joined on our shores by Walmart/Sam’s Club) slashing the prices of bananas in grocery stores.  How can a 39 cent banana be good for the farmer or the environment?

Fortunately, our friends at www.Fairfoodfight have been covering all this news.  Check out their latest blog posts chock-full of articles, videos, current news, and provocative discussion.  Add your voice; it’s time for a Banana Revolution!