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July 05, 2008 | 69°F mist

The Leonard Lopate Show

Underreported: Future of Bananas

Americans eat more bananas than any other kind of fruit; in some parts of the world, bananas help keep millions of people alive. But the future of bananas may be in danger. Most bananas are genetically identical, and a disease has been ravaging banana plantations around the world. We look into the uncertain future of bananas with Dan Koeppel, author of Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World.

Website for Dan Koeppel's book Banana
Listen to Leonard's April 2007 interview about Chiquita Brands' anti-union violence


Listener Comments Comment | Refresh | Back to Episode
[1]
Posted by: SRD
February 14, 2008 - 11:18AM
Brooklyn

I lived in Australia in 2006 when hurricanes wiped out 80% of the country's banana crops. A cheap staple of people's fruit and vegetable diet became scarce, and prices skyrocketed to about $8 USD per kilo-- and a single large banance could cost as much as $1USD. for the first time, people started buying apples, mangoes, and cherries, along with other seasonal fruits, rather than bananas, which had been available year-round.

[2]
Posted by: jf
February 14, 2008 - 01:23PM
nyc

What about red bananas?

[3]
Posted by: Amy
February 14, 2008 - 01:24PM
Manhattan

There are some Fair Trade-certified bananas available, if you look for it on their stickers.

[4]
Posted by: Jeffrey Slott
February 14, 2008 - 01:33PM
East Elmhurst

"Building a Better Banana"

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/banana.html

[5]
Posted by: Sam Salant
February 20, 2008 - 04:08PM
Manhattan

Two song titles come to mind:

"Yes, we have no bananas"

"Bananas are cheaper... let's fall in love."

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