Equal Exchange bananas

US fairtrade cooperative Equal Exchange has launched its annual Banana Month promotion, a month-long initiative to raising awareness about the fairtrade banana supply chain.

This March, Equal Exchange is highlighting the story and perspective of the people behind the Equal Exchange banana, from small farm to table.

Consumers can learn more about the people of the value chain, through the lens of Mariana Cobos and Tom Yachtis.

“Mariana Cobos is an organic banana farmer who overcame many obstacles before joining AsoGuabo banana cooperative in Ecuador ten years ago,” the cooperative said.

“Her success together with the cooperative has led her to share this passion with her son. She is now teaching him how to manage organic banana production on his own farm.” On the other end of the supply chain is Tom Yachtis, who has spent the past 30 years “figuring out the puzzle” of banana ripening.

“He is the mastermind behind the yellow bananas available to Equal Exchange’s East Coast customers each week,” Equal Exchange said.