The humble banana, tasty and full of goodness.
The saying "Travel broadens the mind" is very true....I never really thought about where bananas come from or what significance they play in some peoples lives, until seeing them growing in the Caribbean and learning how important they can be the local population.The banana market is controlled by five large corporations - Chiquita, Dole, Del Monte, Noboa and Fyffes. These corporations control huge banana plantations, the remaining banana production is from small banana producers - family owned farms in places like the Windward Islands in the Caribbean.
We take for granted the foods we buy in our Supermarkets without giving much though to where it comes from. Did you know that bananas are amongst the top five most important food commodities in world trade ?For the workers in the corporate controlled plantations this can mean very low wages, job insecurity and very long working hours. For the Caribbean banana growers this can mean competing against low prices.
Some people (like Fair Trade and Banana Link) are trying to improve the situation. So next time you chose some produce from another country... choose wisely.Meet the farmers
Story of a banana from grower to shop
9 comments:
Nice shots and details Jasp!
Fascinating and eye opening info and wonderful shots.
I was at La Palma this spring and was also delighted by the banana plantations. Thanks for the enlightening story & nice photos.
a worthy commentary; i always buy fair-trade myself - it's worth the extra few pence to make sure someone doesn't starve for the big corporations.
All wonderful photos and commentary. I've seen the peach operation upclose in SC.
I've always been amazed at how large bunches of bananas are growing on the trees. I do love these images and must share them with my children.
great shots there Jasp .. & nice bunch of words too ;) .. myself, our bananas are organic from my girlfriends parents fruit & veg / wholefood shop - everything is organic, fairtrade, ethical, etc, & most is local produce, & we also grow as much as possible (although unfortunately bananas are not growing in my plantation!) .. .. lots of banana related nonsense here - http://banana-blog.bravejournal.com/
Lovely shots, Jasp, and a well-written, thoughtful piece, as well. :)
Too true. We had a cyclone (hurricane) here earlier in the year and about 90 percent of the bananna crop was destroyed in north Queensland. Bananna prices have gone from about $2 per kilo to about $15 per kilo! Somehow I dont think the farmers are making any more money though.
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