Thought bananas were only good for a delicious source of potassium? Think again!
AussieBum’s new line of underwear could induce a number of bad banana-related jokes, but we’ll stick to the basics: the men’s fashion company from the “Land Down Under-wear” (okay, I couldn’t resist), recently released a line of underwear made with real banana fiber. The eco-friendly undies are 27% sustainable banana fiber, 64% organic cotton, and 9% lycra.
Why only 27% banana? According to Lloyd Jones, the company spokesperson, “Naturally, you can’t really add anymore banana fiber than that because it might be a bit squishy.” Well, in that case 27% sounds like just the right amount.
Congratulations to AussiBum on their new socially conscious initiative!
We’d like to welcome Karla Daniella Velazquez de Leon (a.k.a. Danny) to our blog writing team! Danny is the daughter of Organics Unlimited’s owners, Manuel and Mayra Velazquez de Leon. She’s currently a junior at USD and is studying Marketing and Finance with a minor in Management. With a great passion for Social Media and an endless cache of Organics Unlimited and GROW information, she will be able to provide fun, relevant updates with an insider’s twist. We look forward to her posts!
For many Americans, GROW is a label on their organic bananas that says there is a program that provides a better lifestyle for the banana workers and their families.But GROW is also a program that will allow you to get more involved with an outstanding social program in Mexico.Volunteers to help with work projects are readily accepted.And donations of everything from clothes to books to medical supplies can make a big difference.
Volunteer opportunities through GROW are tied with Project Amigo, a non-profit partner in the state of Colima, Mexico, that works throughout the year to provide educational, dental and vision support to the poor in this beautiful area.Work weeks are scheduled throughout the winter. Each work day volunteers choose between several work crews doing a variety of jobs ranging from heavy to light, for all levels of ability. Work may include heavy construction, plumbing or electrical repairs to children's facilities, painting walls or murals, art projects or reading with children, giving haircuts, or simply playing with children who need some extra hugs.
During work weeks, you will be spending time with other volunteers, enjoying the warm hospitality of the Mexican village life, and visiting some of the areas where Project Amigo is working.In the words of one volunteer after spending a week in Colima, “I thought I might make a small difference in a child’s life, but found they have made a big difference in mine.”
To find an opportunity that’s right for you, click here.
GROW has established a recurrent dental care and hygiene program in the rural areas of Mexico, designed to improve the health of field workers and their families. The GROW fund sponsors a dentist who visits the communities in the state of Colima, examining the teeth of people in the area who have not had access to adequate dental care. Using a portable dental unit, the dentist carries out treatments in the GROW center, a facility that was built by and for the GROW scholarship recipients to provide a home for their educational programs. GROW scholarship recipients also provide manpower to the clinics to allow workers to get information on dental hygiene and free toothbrushes. In the past year, GROW has given away 440 new toothbrushes, hygiene instructions, exams and fluoride treatments! Dental problems that are found in the exams are then treated as needed, a total of 67 dental problems in the recent clinics.
Through the GROW foundation, we’re able to fund multiple programs that give back to the community, helping to provide a better quality of life for the field workers and their families.
Our president, Mayra Velazquez de Leon, has been selected as an honoree for the 2010 Women in Produce event sponsored by The United Fresh Produce Association and The Packer! Mayra, among 13 other honorees, will be recognized for her leadership and contribution to the produce industry on Wednesday, April 21st in Las Vegas as part of the 2010 United Fresh Convention. Congratulations Mayra!
Our friends at The Packer had a good article on the banana prices and shortages that we wanted to share. At Organics Unlimited, we're finding demand steady as bananas continue to be one of the top items in the produce department. The number of organic consumers keeps increasing, which we're always happy to see. And for bananas, our transportation costs are lower than most because we don't bring our bananas from as far away. The majority come from Mexico, where we have the perfect growing climate and can get the harvested fruit to the US more quickly and inexpensively.
Restaurants in the Portland, Oregon area are giving back in a big way through the use of our GROW bananas! Realizing their customers want socially responsible, top quality organic products, it’s no wonder these restaurants chose GROW bananas! GROW (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers) is the epitome of social activism and has provided nearly a quarter of a million dollars toward educational assistance, scholarships, homework clubs, dental health and medical assistance to the banana workers and their families.
According to Chad Frazier, one of the chefs at Breitenbush Hot Springs outside of Portland, OR, “Social responsibility and sustainability are the essence of who we are.And with a staple for us like bananas, being able to offer our guests GROW bananas is a perfect fit. Maintaining our values in the foods we offer is not a choice, it’s a requirement. In most cases we also try to buy as much produce as possible that is locally grown, but since that’s not possible with bananas, these that come from Mexico have less far to travel than most.”
We hope for our bananas to be used in more sustainable restaurants in the future. If you’re interested in purchasing our GROW bananas for your establishment, email mayra@organicsunlimited.com or call (619) 710-0658.In the meantime, if you’re in the Portland area, be sure to check out one of these restaurants and indulge in a dish made with GROW bananas!
