What Can You Do?
Buy Organic!
In 2004, less than one percent of bananas sold in
the US were organically grown, but according to the United Nations Food
and Agricultural Organization, that number is growing approximately
twenty percent annually.
1 Fungicides and insecticides
consume over 35% of the total costs of banana production, so although
the only major difference between traditional and organic banana
harvesting is the amount of synthetic chemicals used, organic banana
production proves to be a much more sustainable practice.
Although the price of organically grown fruit is generally about 30%
higher than typical produce, $.99 a pound is certainly not
unaffordable, and it would be beneficial for Americans to “go organic”
when it comes to banana shopping. Organic bananas may not look as
perfect as those produced with pesticides, but their quality is no
different. As long as a demand exists for unblemished fruit, the
suppliers will spend the extra money on chemicals to give us what we
desire. In the long run, it is only individual consumers’
preferences that will make a difference, and if more people buy organic
bananas, more organic farmers is what will result. Buying organic
is an easy transition to make, and a relatively simple way to reduce
the negative impact our eating habits are having on the environment in
some of the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world.
But Buying Organic Won’t Solve Everything…
While buying organic does make a real difference,
unfortunately, it won’t solve all the environmental or social issues
related to the banana economy. Organic bananas are farmed by the
same companies that farm regular bananas (Chiquita, Del Monte, and
Dole) and the only difference is that they aren’t sprayed with
fungicides and pesticides. Every acre of land put under organic
production does mean less hazardous chemicals entering the environment
and less illness on the part of the workers; however, it doesn’t lessen
the other environmental costs associated with the industrial-scale
production and transportation of bananas, and it doesn’t translate into
better treatment or wages for banana workers. Since bananas
aren’t typically grown in the U.S., one can’t buy them locally (and
avoid the environmental costs of transporting them thousands of miles
to our supermarkets), and if Americans were to stop buying bananas
entirely that would mean the termination of the jobs of many dependent
people who have very little other potential to make money. The
complications that have arisen around the banana industry are some of
the most difficult situations today in the global food industry.
In this situation, the average consumer has arguably
little power. While there are limits to the benefits of buying
organic, it is, however, a start. Consumers can also choose to
encourage their government officials to voice these concerns in hopes
of bringing about change: governmental regulations and trade
agreements ought to be modified to ensure more environmentally
responsible practices in the growing of bananas, and fairer treatment
of banana workers. Chiquita and Del Monte are publicly traded
companies, and therefore shareholders do hold a formidable amount of
influence over the companies’ actions and the ethics of their
business. No individual can be expected to solve such
problems on their own, but what you can do as the consumer is “vote
with your wallet”. Fruit companies are still companies, and they
depend upon consumers to maintain their practices. By being
informed and purchasing reasonable amounts of products from companies
with ecologically and socially sound practices, you can help improve
the environment and society for future generations to come.
1Mlot, Christine. “Greening the World’s Most Popular Fruit.” National Wildlife, Feb/Mar2004, Vol. 42 Issue 2, p18-19.
