News that is just bananas

(Photo: Pop & Zebara, Source: Unsplashed, Graphic: Shelby Matthews)

Organics Unlimited sets retail display contest for GROW bananas

Organics Unlimited, San Diego, is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the GROW (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers) Month in September.

The campaign starts Sept. 1 and focuses on consumer awareness through the media and retailers, according to a news release. A display contest is available for retailers that stock to GROW brand bananas.

GROW promotes sustainability practices, and education and health care to worker communities where Organics Unlimited sources bananas in Mexico and Ecuador.

Chiquita goes retro to celebrate Banana Lovers Day

Chiquita Brands International is preparing for Banana Lovers Day, Aug. 27, encouraging fans of the fruit to rediscover classic banana-centric recipes, from banana breads to smoothies.

Each day, the company is highlighting recipes from vintage cookbooks dating to the 1950s and 1970s.

“Embracing our diverse fanbase and celebrating their unique and ever-changing cultural, dietary and trendy preferences has inspired us to create nutrient-dense recipes ranging in categories from special occasions and holidays to fitness fuel and variations of beloved classics such as banana bread,” Tina Varjabedian, marketing manager for North America, said in a news release.

Bananas for the grill? Yes.

Chiquita has ideas for summer grillers, with four recipes that make bananas the focus of cookouts.

The BBQ desserts put a twist on classic summer treats, according to a news release.

“Chiquita is excited to highlight the fun side of summer grilling by blending summertime favorites like s’mores and BBQ, into four new recipes that put a unique twist on the classics with Chiquita bananas,” Tina Varjabedian, Chiquita’s marketing manager of North America. “As families continue to be mindful of social distancing, we hope that these recipes can be a part of their summer fun.”

Earl’s Organic expands; fair trade banana program to grow

Earl’s Organic Produce, San Francisco, is expanding into space it originally occupied at the San Francisco Market, giving the company almost 90,000 square feet.

The company hasn’t finalized plans for the entire space, but Earl Herrick, owner and president, said it will be expanding its fair trade banana program.

“We do know we want to expand the banana program, probably doubling our commitment to the banana rooms,” Herrick said. “It’s a very important item for us and also we’ve designated it a fair trade item, which creates a very specific identification and our customers align with us."

Del Monte Fresh adds energy-efficient ships to fleet

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Coral Gables, Fla, has added six energy-efficient reefer container ships to its fleet.

The Del Monte Gold is the first in service, traveling from Hong Kong on its way to the Panama Canal, according to a news release. It and the other ships has a capacity of 1,276 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) with 634 electrical plugs for 40-foot high cube reefer containers, which can maintain temperatures down to 13 degrees Fahrenheit.

Helmuth Lutty, senior vice president of shipping operations, said Fresh Del Monte has been working on this goal since 2017.

“As one of the world’s leading producer, marketer and distributer of fresh fruits and vegetables, we have set a very high bar for all the reefer containers and ships in our fleet,” Lutty said in the release. “These six new vessels set the bar even higher, and allow us to deliver the high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables we are known for while meeting our sustainability goals.”

 

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