Fyffes National Banana Day 2018

Consumers are being encouraged to place bananas at the centre of a healthy diet as Fyffes hosts National Banana Day for the second time.

The event, taking place on Wednesday 18 April, aims to bolster the national drive to encourage healthier eating habits, especially among young and growing children.

Its parallel purpose will be to get consumers to choose bananas as a convenience food or main meal accompaniment, and Fyffes wants chefs and food writers to be more creative and incorporate bananas more widely on their menus – not just as a dessert, but also as a starter or savoury addition to a main meal.

Parents and budding cooks across the country are being invited to create their own banana-inspired dishes and recipe suggestions. Winning creations will feature on the menu at the Fyffes Kitchen pop-up, as well as being posted on the company’s social media pages to support Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin.

In the Irish capital, people can support the event by sampling an array of banana-infused dishes at the Fyffes Kitchen pop-up, which will appear at Spencer Dock Market on 18 April, Mespil Road Market on 19 April and Sandyford Market on 20 April.

Fyffes marketing manager Emma Hunt-Duffy said: “Our goal on National Banana Day will be to highlighting what a fun, healthy and adaptable fruit bananas are whilst supporting the very important work being done by Temple Street Children’s Hospital”.

Denise Fitzgerald, chief executive of Temple Street Foundation added: 'We are thrilled and excited that Fyffes have chosen to partner with Temple Street Foundation for their Banana Day activities again this year.

“By simply trying out the delicious Fyffes pop-up Kitchen dishes next week you'll also be making a really positive impact on our hospital and the thousands of sick children who come here in need of urgent medical care. From all of us in Temple Street, thank you Fyffes for your continued support.'

You can also support Temple Street with a €4 donation by texting the word BANANA to 50300, with a minimum of €3.25 going directly to the hospital.