Dole Food Company has announced in a press release that the company has achieved Rainforest Alliance certification for its banana farms in Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala.
The Rainforest Alliance-certified fruit will be distributed at select retailers throughout the US after meeting comprehensive environmental and social standards to protect wildlife habitat and workers, Dole said.
“Being able to add the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal to our bananas is a great reminder to our customers of Dole’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the well-being of farm workers,” explained Mike Cavallero, president of Dole’s North American tropical and fresh fruit division.
“We are excited that our banana farms have earned Rainforest Alliance certification, reflecting our commitment to sustainability,” Mr Cavallero continued.
“Being able to add the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal to our bananas is a great reminder to our customers of Dole’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the well-being of farm workers.”
The company said that joining forces with the Rainforest Alliance to bring certified sustainable bananas to consumers in the US is one part of Dole’s long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility.
“We are thrilled to see Rainforest Alliance Certified Dole bananas in the market,” said Sabrina Vigilante, Director of Sustainable Value Chains, Americas & Asia Pacific at the Rainforest Alliance.
“We applaud Dole’s commitment to sustainability, a clear response to the growing consumer awareness and demand for products that are kind to the earth.”
With 2010 net revenues of US$6.9bn, Dole is the world’s largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, and the leading producer of organic bananas.
