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
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.
What about red bananas?
There are some Fair Trade-certified bananas available, if you look for it on their stickers.
"Building a Better Banana"
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/banana.html
Two song titles come to mind:
"Yes, we have no bananas"
"Bananas are cheaper... let's fall in love."
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