Random Quotes

“I have achieved a lot: organising women’s self-help groups, getting the children to attend school, and providing basic needs such as water, electricity and street lights. Even men could not have done so much. ”

— member of a women’s group supported by CWS in Tamil Nadu

Going fairly bananas

Go bananasThanks so much for helping to get Fairtrade Bananas established in New Zealand!  1 million bunches have sold in first year.

All Good, New Zealand’s only importer of Fairtrade bananas, report that despite the recession Kiwis are making the ethical choice. 100,000 New Zealand consumers a month are choosing Fairtrade bananas. As a direct result the El Guabo cooperative in Ecuador has benefited from $90,000 in Fairtrade Premium in the past year and revenues of over $1,000,000 to support their farms and families.  Read their story here

Bananas are the country’s most popular fruit. Kiwis eat an estimated 467 million of them a year. All Good Bananas was formed to source more sustainable and ethical alternatives for Kiwi shoppers. They took a gamble that consumers would be willing to pay around a dollar more for Fairtrade bananas – and even despite the recession it seems they are.

The extra cash funds projects such as investment in sustainable farming techniques and organic fertiliser production. It supports 17 primary school teachers and a special needs school with dedicated therapists, accessible in the areas where the farmers and their workers live. Contributions towards school books etc and college scholarships are also provided.

The Fairtrade Premium contributes towards the running of the medical centre and its 5 health professionals, together which offers 24 hour care. The health centre employs a respiratory specialist, however since converting to Fairtrade and more sustainable environmental practices there has been a major reduction in cases of respiratory illnesses, poisoning and severe skin irritation caused by exposure to harmful pesticides. Members also enjoy the benefits of medical insurance.

Help keep the good work going. Buy Fairtrade Bananas.

Why fair trade bananas?

Most banana plantation workers do not earn enough to live and support their families. Some earn less than $3 a day.

Small farmers struggle to cover their cost of production whilst trying to compete with large scale
plantations owned by a small number of multinational corporations who dominate the global banana trade, controlling both the markets and prices.

How does fair trade help?

Not only do certified Fairtrade banana growers get a fair and stable price for their crop, they also get a ‘Fairtrade social premium’. This is used to improve living and working conditions for the community.

All Good Bananas is sourcing fair trade bananas from the El Guabo Cooperative in Ecuador. Thanks to consumers paying a little more for Fairtrade bananas, the El Guabo growers have been able to invest in a medical clinic for workers and families, a retirement fund for growers and in education for local children.