For more information about bananas, sustainable agriculture, corporate social responsibility and the trade debates, we recommend the following sites:
Chiquita Brands International
The Rainforest Alliance
Banana Link
US/LEAP (U.S. Labor Education in the Americas Project)
Just Food
Ethical Trade Organization
Banana Museum
Banana Group
www.chiquita.com
The official Chiquita website. It includes a section devoted to their commitment to corporate responsibility and their corporate responsibility reports.
www.rainforestalliance.org
Based in New York City, the Rainforest Allance works to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. The Rainforest Alliance works in 53 countries and developed the Better Banana Project in 1991 to address environmental and social issues related to banana cultivation. Their internationally-recognized certification program for bananas is central to Chiquita's C.R. efforts. Their site includes information about their partnership with Chiquita and a profile of the company.
www.bananalink.org.uk
This NGO was established in 1996 to work toward sustainable banana production and trade. The site is a good in-depth source for understanding the relevance and complexity of the banana trade on a global scale. It includes an overview of prominent banana companies including Chiquita.
www.usleap.org
US/LEAP is an independent non-profit organization that supports economic justice and basic rights for workers in Central America, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Mexico. US/LEAP focuses especially on the struggles of workers who are employed directly or indirectly by U.S. companies. This is a comprehensive site featuring in-depth look at Chiquita and other banana companies including press, background articles, newsletters and a picture library.
www.just-food.com
This site is targeted at food industry professionals. It includes an extensive archive or reports, books, press releases and articles from industry annuals. It also includes an article on Chiquita and the International Labor Standard Certification.
www.ethicaltrade.org
This is a tri-partite organziation comprised of companies, trade union organziations and NGOs working together for ethical trade.
www.bananamuseum.com
The Washington Banana Museum website is a tribute to the banana. It showcases banana art, artifacts and memorabilia, as well as a section devoted to Chiquita.
www.thebananagroup.uk.net
This group was set up by banana importers, ripeners and handlers in 1984 to increase awareness of the fruit and therefore boost consumption. The site is geared toward students and children with lots of trivia.
© 2007 Green Bananas, LLC. Photo: © 2006 Jennifer Pritheeva Samuel