Episode 160: Beyond the Peel, Fair Trade Banana

We’re going beyond the peel on this week’s episode of The Farm Report as Erin Fairbanks hosts the Banana Coordinator at Equal Exchange, Nicole Vitello. Did you know the banana is actually an herb? Nicole discusses all things banana from organic farming to transport and sale. There’s a banana revolution afoot and Nicole shares her knowledge about the radical turn towards fair trade exchange and the market’s reaction to this push. The banana has been a staple of the kitchen table for as long as anyone can remember and Nicole talks about the process that brings each banana to our home. Tune and learn everything there is to know about the banana because Nicole really knows her stuff! This program was sponsored by Cain Vineyard and Winery. “Bananas are a genetic clone…the plant is constantly reproducing from itself.. the plant can’t evolve.” [5:50] “It’s a man – over – nature process to get the perfect banana…I cant think of any other product that actually trades that way.” [7:34] “Fair trade was designed as tool to link producers with importing companies and also open up that line of trade to have certain securities. Fair trade sets a minimum price for bananas which no importer can pay below. On top of that, one dollar per 40lb box goes back to the producers coop as a social premium.” [21:10] ## –Nicole Vitello, Banana Coordinator at Equal Exchange on The Farm ReportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.