Waitrose has been using shelf barkers to hammer home the message to customers that emphasise the ethical and political issues relating to the banana industry.

It has been keen to publicly quantify sourcing policy and ongoing support for the Caribbean in general and its 105 dedicated growers in particular.

Earlier this year its ethical approach in St Lucia and St Vincent, in conjunction with Wibdeco, led to the establishment of the Waitrose Windward Grower Group (WWGG), dedicated to optimum quality, Fully traceable fruit grown according to best agronomic practice and creating conditions to increase yields in a sustainable and improve living standards is also seen as key in securing the future.

The grower group allows Waitrose and Wibdeco to share best agronomic practice to the benefit of all growers and gives growers the opportunity to communicate directly with the people selling their bananas in the UK, said the retailer this week.

WWGG comprises 105 independent growers, 101 of which are in St Lucia and four in St Vincent with a waiting list of more wishing to join.

However, qualification criteria are strict and numbers are restricted in order to fulfil the promise to the group that Waitrose will buy all the fruit grown that meets the agreed quality specification.

See this week's Journal for our annual banana supplement.

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