availability of FT bananas Like Sue, I prefer more flexibility in the size and number of bananas in supermarkets -even the Co-op, which is better than most, has too many in a bunch. I have often asked out local greengrocer if he can stock them. He has always said that he has tried on numerous occasions and failed. Role on wider availability.
Re: Picky Customers Like you, Sue, I often don't want to buy as many as 6 or 8 bananas, and the use of plastic bags for me is another disincentive. That's why I tend to buy my Fairtrade bananas in Sainsbury's or Waitrose (luckily I have branches of both nearby) where you can buy them loose and choose 1, 2 or any number you like. That's possible because they've made a 100% commitment to Fairtrade bananas and it would be great to see Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and the Co-op make progress on this. This is one area of Fairtrade where the Co-op in particular could really take a stronger position, given their support of Fairtrade in other product categories.
Another thing that the Sainsbury's Fairtrade switch has meant is that because it includes their basics range, much fewer bananas are rejected in the processing stage. The Fairtrade story here is truly inspiring. The farmers here have heard that Tesco just posted record profits, and are interested to know when their share of that success might appear!
Barbara
Picky customers? I was interested to read Asda's requirements for bananas. One of the things I dislike most about their Fairtrade bananas is that they are so large - I rarely finish the pack without having to throw out at least two because they have over-ripened. Personally I would be much happier with smaller bananas and varying numbers, I don't always want six. I'll happily take four of the ones left over, they don't have to be part of a bunch. At least that way I won't end up wasting half of them. I think Asda and the other supermarkets are being way too prescriptive on our behalf.
Chocolate addict, Fairtrade activist and Bolton Wanderers fan, I'm travelling to meet the producers of the everyday things I enjoy in life. ... full info
Julie
non-member comment
availability of FT bananas
Like Sue, I prefer more flexibility in the size and number of bananas in supermarkets -even the Co-op, which is better than most, has too many in a bunch. I have often asked out local greengrocer if he can stock them. He has always said that he has tried on numerous occasions and failed. Role on wider availability.