Take the Challenge!We need you to help build demand for Fair Trade bananas in your community! Join the Go Bananas for Fair Trade initiative this October as the national celebration of Fair Trade bananas begins. Take the Go Bananas Challenge from October 1 to October 14 by hosting Fair Trade banana themed events, and enter to win a trip to the Fair Trade Campaigns Conference in Chicago or a free year’s supply of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. All across the country, producers and Fair Trade supporters will be taking part!

Go Bananas for Fair Trade!

This guide has everything you need to know about organizing successful banana themed events and effectively inspiring your community about Fair Trade bananas! These events will involve lots of people, get great media coverage and attract new people to join your campaign. They are opportunities to express people’s voices and increase support for the Fair Trade movement, while bringing people together. Campaigns can submit photos and/or number of bananas eaten at their event(s) to win cool prizes.

Please be sure to check out the “Resources” section on our Go Bananas for Fair Trade web page for more educational materials & links.

Contents Go Bananas Challenge.....................................3

Event Ideas.........................................................5

Planning Your Event.........................................7

The Need for Fair Trade...................................9

Impact of Fair Trade.......................................10

Getting Fair Trade Bananas on Your Supermarket Shelf..........................................12

Case Study: Mankato, MN..............................14

Bite-sized Banana Facts................................15

Banana Cut-out...............................................16

“Thank you to those who buy Fair Trade. By buying this fruit, you’ve made it possible for the dreams of families like mine to become reality.” —Enor Medrano Heredia,

worker at the Martha Maria farms

Go Bananas Challenge!

Enter to win a trip to Chicago, or Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream for a year! We need your help rallying consumers to pur-chase and demand Fair Trade bananas! We’re making it easy, fun and rewarding. Go Bananas from October 1 to October 14 by organizing Fair Trade banana themed events in your community.

Conscious consumers and Fair Trade cam-paigners across the country will tally up how many Fair Trade bananas are consumed or how many participants attended their events to enter the Go Bananas Challenge!

Win these Prizes!Sweepstakes - The campaign with the most Fair Trade bananas eaten and one with the most attendees at their event(s) will choose from these prizes:

•Free trip for two to Chicago and tickets to attend the Fair Trade Campaigns Conference from October 26 -28. Airfare and accommodations will be reimbursed for two campaign members/ volunteers who previously registered for the conference.

•Free year’s supply of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.

Photo Contest - We will select, at random, photos submitted from 10 campaigns with participants hold-ing Fair Trade bananas or banana cut-outs at their events to win:

• Free Fair Trade gift set

Be creative and fun with your photos, and make sure they capture the essence of your event!

How to Enter*

If Fair Trade bananas are available in your community

If Fair Trade bananas are not available in your community

Sweepstakes & Photo Contest:

1. Host Fair Trade banana eating event(s) in your community from Oct. 1- 14

2. Tally how many bananas are consumed at the event(s)

3. Submit the tallied number and five of your best photos* by October 16 to gobananas@FairTradeTownsUSA.org

4. Fair Trade Towns USA staff reviews entries and notifies the winners by October 18

*Photos must have participants holding Fair Trade bananas.

Sweepstakes & Photo Contest:

1. Host Fair Trade banana themed event(s) in your community from Oct. 1- 14

2. Tally how many people attend the event(s)

3. Submit the tallied number of attendees and five of your best photos* by October 16 to gobananas@FairTradeTownsUSA.org

4. Fair Trade Towns USA reviews entries and notifies the winners by October 18

*Photos must have participants holding Fair Trade banana cut-outs.

You must be a registered Fair Trade Town, University, College, or High School Campaign to enter the Go Bananas Challenge. Not registered? Email gobananas@fairtradetownsusa.org to find out how you can participate.

* Because our goal of this initiative is to increase the demand for Fair Trade bananas, we understand the availability in the US is limited. Use the “Where to Buy” section of the Go Bananas web page to find Fair Trade bananas at loca-tions near you. In cases where Fair Trade bananas are not available, see the “Getting Fair Trade Bananas on Your Supermarket Shelf” section of the Go Bananas web page.

Event Ideas

Not only does Fair Trade do good, but it also tastes good. Partner up with your local supermarket to hand out samples of Fair Trade bananas. Use the “Where to Buy” section of the Go Bananas web page to locate Fair Trade bananas in your community. If you can’t find them, check out the “Getting Fair Trade Bananas on Your Supermarket Shelf” section of the cam-paign kit and see if you can get a local super-market to bring them in for you to promote in their store.

Bring your community together in a local theatre or in the comfort of your own home to host a movie/ documentary showing. Check out the “Resources” section of the Go Bananas web page for a list of recommended documentaries about not only Fair Trade bananas, but also other Fair Trade products, and our Go Bananas PowerPoint presentation.

Sample Fair Trade BananasMovie Showings & Educational Presentations

Event Ideas (cont’d)

Fair Trade Breakfasts:

Start off your day right with Fair Trade! Check out some Fair Trade banana inspired recipes on the Go

Bananas web page.

ContestsUp for some friendly competition? See if these fun events can fuel engagement from your community.

•Banana Bake Off

•Banana Eating Contest

•Banana Air Guitar Contest

Banana Events for Kids:

•Banana Scavenger Hunt

•Fair Trade Book Reading

•Fair Trade Assemblies •SupermarketsandGroceryStores

•Elementary/Middle/HighSchools

•FaithBasedOrganizations

•YouthGroups

•SportsClubs

•GoLocalGroup

•EnvironmentalGroups

•LocalCouncil&Mayor

•CateringCompany/FoodDistributors

Invite the following groups to participate or host your events!

Planning Your Event

Theme:

Before you begin planning your event, you need to figure out whether or not Fair Trade bananas are available in your town. Use our “Where to Buy” page to help you determine if your event will be a Fair Trade banana eating event, or a Fair Trade banana educational event. Either way, it’s important to be creative and have a fun atmosphere.

Venue: If Fair Trade bananas are available in your community, it will be ideal to host the event in or near the market, cafe or kitchen where con-sumers can purchase them. If Fair Trade bananas are not available in your community, think about who you want to educate: students, organizations who focus on social justice, or your friends and family. Then, think about how many people you can expect to show up to theevent.Isitappropriateforthetargetedaudience?Doesyourvenueofchoiceofferdisabledaccess?Don’tforgettofactorinac-cess to public transportation and parking when choosing a venue.

Ways to Publicize:

Good publicity is crucial to successful event planning and outcome. Pass out posters to local shops, cafes, restaurants, school campus or community centers to spread the word. You can download Go Bananas web banners and Facebook timeline photos to put on your web site or Facebook page. Send out a press release to local newspapers, radio stations, magazines, and television stations. Another inexpensive and effective way to tell people about your event is through various online media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter,

Tumblr, and more. Be sure to ex-plore our “Resources” page on the web site for many of these tools.

Funding Tip:

Apply for a Fair Trade Towns or Fair

Trade Colleges & Universities Small Grant to help offset the cost of your events. Email gobananas@fairtradetownsusa.org.

Planning Your Event (cont’d)

Other Things to Consider

Helpful Tips:

•Time— who is your audience and when is the most suit-able time for them?

•Health and safety—have a first-aid kit handy

•Purpose—keep in mind the goal of your event

•Makesuretotakelotsofpicturestosupportyour Fair Trade Town, Colleges & Universities campaign, or simply to share with your family and friends

•Giveparticipantsachancetoprovidefeedback on the event to improve for next time

•KeepinmindthatthecelebrationofFairTradebananas is continuous. Give your attendees easy ways to keep spreading the word.

•Alwayshaveaback-upplaninmindwhenhosting an outdoor event

Bananas are the most popular fruit in the world; in fact they account for al-most 50% of US fresh fruit imports. While there are many different

varietiesgrownforlocalconsumptioninLatinAmerica,almostall exported bananas are of the Cavendish variety. Be-

cause bananas lack genetic variation, large amounts of agrochemicals are typically applied to banana fields. In the industry, agrochemical applications on bananas are

more heavily used than on any other crop, besides cotton. Not only are banana farmers and workers exposed to these

agrochemicals, but they also labor tirelessly to ensure that the bananas you eat are identical in appearance and size.

According to retailers, bananas are one of the most important items in a grocery store. The price of a banana often influences

where a consumer shops, so it’s important that retailers price them competitively. While a handful of large com-panies control over 80% of the banana trade (export-ing & importing), supermarkets are the most powerful

actors along the banana supply chain. The power of banana companies to dictate the price of bananas has eroded over the past few decades because of supermar-

ket chain consolidation. These supermarket chains sign long-term contracts with the large banana brands; so when

faced with losing a large supermarket chain as their customer, banana companies are forced to lower their prices. Therefore unless retailers, and ultimately consumers, are willing to pay a higher price for bananas, banana companies and the farmers they buy from cannot afford to provide the resources needed to posi-

tively impact their communities and the environment.

Banana Knowledge is PowerGo Bananas for Fair Trade is a win-win situation for

everyone, most importantly the hardworking farm-ing families. Practice your consumer power by:- Purchasing Fair Trade products- Building demand in your community-Lettingsupermarketsknowthattheycangaincustomers and improve their image if they of-fer Fair Trade bananas

For more information on banana trade, visit www.FairTradeTownsUSA.org/gobananas/

The Need for Fair Trade

Bananas are produced around the world on both small and large-scale farms. The unfortunate reality of many banana growing communities is that they are often plagued by inad-equate wages; low levels of education; lack of social and labor protections or health benefits; pesticide drift; and contami-nated rivers and streams. With the goal of helping to alleviate these conditions, Fair Trade certification of bananas began to develop in the US in 2004. Since then, Fair Trade has been supporting improved living situations and promoting tremen-dous social, economic, and environmental development for banana farmers, workers, and their communities.

Fair Trade Bananas, Empowerment and Economic Development

Inclusive Participation & Transparency- Fair Trade standards require an organizational structure that allows the producers to bring their product to market with democratic and transparent decision-making

policies. The producer groups provide social and labor rights, as well as economic benefits to its workers.Community Development Premium Management – In addition to social and labor protections, farmers and work-ers receive community development premiums for each box of bananas sold with the Fair Trade label. These groups then democratically determine how the premium will be spent in ways that best meet the needs of their community.

Training & Capacity Building – Fair Trade standards re-quire training on topics such as work place safety, freedom of association, and worker rights.

Fair Trade Bananas and Social Responsibility•Childlaborandforcedlaborareprohibited

•Womenareprovidedequalrightsandfreedom from harassment

•Freedomfromdiscrimination

•CommunityDevelopmentPremiumsofferproducersandworkers opportunities to invest in their communities such as:

Impact of Fair Trade

•Constructingnewhomes,schoolsandhealthfacilities

•Runningwater&electricity

•HigherEducationScholarshipsforfarmersandtheirchildren

•Communityaccesstodoctors,medicine,propernutrition,vaccinations,andhealtheducation

•MicroLoanprogramsforentrepreneursortoimproveyieldsandqualityofcrops

Fair Trade Bananas and Environmental StewardshipFair Trade environmental guidelines aim to:

•Connectfarmersandworkerstonecessarytoolsandfinancingtoimplementenvironmental protection/improvement programs

•Reducepesticideandherbicideuse •Protectfarmlandfromsoilerosionandwaterpollutionbyplantingcovercrops •Investinwatertreatmentplanstominimizewateruseage •Prohibitgeneticallymodifiedorganisms,orGMOs •Protectlocalfloraandfauna

“With Fair Trade, we have an incentive to invest in social programs that benefit producers and the community. We also receive higher incomes to sustain ourselves. If it were not for Fair Trade, we wouldn’t exist as banana producers, since the amount we receive for a box of conventional bananas does not cover our expenses.” —Edinson Cabana Zapata,ASOPROBANmember,Colombia

Impact of Fair Trade (cont’d)

Getting Fair Trade Bananas on Your Supermarket Shelf

Building Awareness & Showcasing Demand in Your Community

1. Buy other Fair Trade products and help demonstrate to super-markets that there is a growing demand for Fair Trade in your com-munity.

2. Organize a Fair Trade banana themed event to raise awareness and build demand for Fair Trade bananas in your community.

3. Fill out a product request card or online form at the store you frequent requesting Fair Trade bananas.

4. Talk to your Produce Buyer or Store Manager. (See below)

Talking to your Produce Buyer/Store Manager 1. Print out the list of importers and distributors from the “Where to Buy” section of the web site and visit the store where you shop.

2.RequesttospeakwithyourProduceBuyerorStoreManager.

3. Greet them. Then, ask if they know what Fair Trade certification is.

Give a short & sweet explanation. (Ex: Fair Trade certification ensures that producers are getting fair wages and improved living conditions. Products include coffee, tea and bananas.)

4. Show them the list of Fair Trade importers and distributors, letting

them know that if they don’t see their preferred vendor listed, Fair Trade Towns USA might be able to help that vendor source Fair Trade bananas. Email gobananas@fairtradetownsusa.org and we will be happy to assist.

5. Tell them that you’d love to see Fair Trade bananas sold at the store, and that you’re working in your town to raise awareness and demand for Fair Trade bananas. Offer to promote other Fair Trade products avail-able in their store to showcase that there is demand.

Understand Distribution & Picking Your TargetBananas have just a couple of weeks between harvest and when they start to ripen—so careful and quick lo-gistics are essential. Supermarket chains with more than 50 stores or so buy full container loads (1000 boxes/40,000lbs) from an importer on a weekly basis and tend to ripen bananas at their own regional facilities. Generally they have long term, exclusive contracts with the big banana companies

on conventional bananas. Organic bananas aren’t always on contract and can be more open to working with smaller importers. It is dif-ficult for supermarkets to buy small quantities of Fair Trade bananas for a couple of stores. However, if there is a regional distributor that can deliver ripe bananas directly to those stores, it’s possible they will consider. Buying large quantities and distributing Fair Trade bananas to many stores is easier from a logistical perspective, but could cut into retailer margins. So getting to “yes” isn’t easy, but getting to “yes” could be life-changing for an entire community.

Independent supermarkets tend to work with regional distributors which ripen the bananas and deliver them to their stores several times

a week. For independent stores to get the right color banana (yellow with green tips) at a price that’s reasonable, that regional distributor needs to handle a good volume of bananas each week, which means they’ll need other customers. If that regional distributor already carries Fair Trade bananas for other cus-tomers, it’s easy enough to have them serve one more store. If that regional distributor isn’t yet carrying Fair Trade bananas, you may need to either 1) convince the independent supermarket to buy from another distributor or 2) help their preferred distributor sell Fair Trade bananas too.

So, when picking your target it is best to understand your target, and and to know that you’ll achieve success faster when you are demanding them on a local level. If your target is a small store, are their patrons willing to pay a .20 - .40 more per lb difference? If your target is a supermarket, can

you build enough demand? Either way make this fun, be patient, and support the store-level staff as much as you can!

Getting Fair Trade Bananas on Your Supermarket Shelf (cont’d)

“In my experience, when empowered shoppers request fair trade bananas, they must also address the store’s bottom line. When encouraging your store to go for the better banana option explain that fair trade products are more trusted, celebrated, and purchased, which actually rewards supermarkets through more sales volume and a better public image. “ - Michela Calabrese, Employee at Interrupcion* Fair Trade, a Fair Trade banana importer

Case Study: Mankato, MN

What was your goal and why bananas?

The general absence of Fair Trade produce in Mankato, MN presented a new, wide target for the Fair Trade campaignintheperiodaftertheFairTradeTownDeclarationinOctober2011.Bananasleadthewayinsu-permarket produce sales, yet many people know nothing of the conditions of much banana production and regard the availability of cheap bananas as the norm.

What was your strategy?

Wefocusedonthesupermarketwherewehadthehighestlevelofaccess(i.e.theStoreDirector).Wemadea direct approach to him after having successfully advocated over some months that his store broaden the availability of Fair Trade sugars.

What are 3 tips for a group who wants to get Fair Trade Bananas available in their community?

1. Build a positive relationship with the Produce Manager in your friendliest supermarket and, if possible, withtheStoreDirector.2. If the store is part of a chain, write to the HQ to say that you are advocating for Fair Trade in your area and want to know about the company’s “sustainability” commitment and the person responsible for developing the agenda. Then contact him or her and ask for more details. 3. Provide appropriate information about the product for which you are advocating and offer to help with a promotion of the product when it arrives.

What did your campaign achieve?

The store began to stock Fair Trade bananas at Easter 2012 and has seen sales steadily grow, reflecting previous experience with organics. Fair Trade pears followed as well as blueberries and mangoes when available.

How did you make it positive and engaging for all?

HelpingtheStoreDirectorandhisManagers,overaperiodofacoupleofyears,becomeawareofaconstit-uency of shoppers committed to Fair Trade. a.) Strengthening relationships with the StoreDirectorandProduceManager.b.)Respondingtoaninvitationtogiveapresentation to the senior staff about Fair Trade and Fair Trade Towns in general. c.)Keepingupcontactwithseniorsupermarket staff. d.) Continuing to advertise the exist-ence of Fair Trade bananas and other fruit through the Fair Trade Town campaign network.

Bite-Sized Banana Facts

Banana Basics Contrary to popular belief, bananas do not grow on trees, but, in fact, on the largest herb plant on Earth.

Bananas first originated in Southeast Asia, specifically Malaysia, around 4,000 years ago.

Bananas are the 4th most important staple food in the world after rice, wheat, and maize.

In the United States, bananas represent a full 50% of all US fresh fruit imports, a large portion of which areproducedinLatinAmerica.

Bananas are grown and harvested year-round.

Health Facts Richinpotassium,bananasareeffectiveinloweringbloodpressure,promotingbonehealth,and reducing risk of stroke.

Bananas are a great source of fiber, which helps to prevent heart disease.

Bananas also contain a significant amount of vitamin B6, which plays an important role in mood regulation, and brain function and development.

Bananas for Fair Trade There are 81 Fair Trade banana-producing organizationsthroughoutAsia,LatinAmerica, Africa, and the Caribbean.

The 27 Fair Trade banana producers that supply to the US market are located in Ecuador, Costa Rica,Peru,andinthenorthwesternUrabaregionof Colombia.

Market demand for Fair Trade bananas is on the rise as volumes imported almost doubled from 2008 to 2009, reaching 49 million pounds.

Fair Trade certification for bananas in the United States began in 2004, and since then over 100 million pounds of Fair Trade bananas have been sold.

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