Fyffes and Ocado invest £192,300 in new school buildings for Belizean banana-growing community

Fruit supplier Fyffes and online retailer Ocado have announced the official opening of newly constructed school facilities in southern Belize.

In a statement, Fyffes said the initiative marked a “significant milestone” in its long-standing commitment to community investment and access to education in the regions where its bananas are grown.

Responding to what were described as urgent infrastructure and safety needs, Fyffes and Ocado jointly contributed £192,300 to fund the construction of a five-classroom block, as well as a dedicated pre-school building, at the Fabian Cayetano RC Primary School in Bladen Village, Toledo.

These replaced structures in a state of serious disrepair that were deemed dilapidated and unsafe, and therefore posed major risks to students and staff.

The new facilities will provide a secure and nurturing environment for the school’s 271 pupils. They will also serve as certified hurricane shelters for the village’s 800 residents.

“It’s a priority for Fyffes to support the communities where our people come from,” said Victor Chique, country manager of Fyffes Belize. “Education is essential for communities to thrive and grow, and we are proud to contribute to that journey.”

Ben I’Anson, senior buyer for fruit at Ocado Retail, added: “Working with suppliers like Fyffes is essential to ensuring that our supply chains positively contribute towards helping communities in regions where we source from. It is great to provide children with access to safe and happy education where they’ll also be provided with healthy and nutritional breakfast.”

Education is one of the key pillars in Fyffes’ Community Investment strategy, part of a broader scheme called Vision of Shaping Wellbeing for the World.

In 2024 alone, Fyffes’ total investment in community infrastructure in Belize – including a community clinic in another rural village – amounted to £254,162.