Halloween Banana Fun!

Halloween is quickly approaching, so we’re celebrating with some ghoulishly delicious banana treats! We’ve compiled a list of quick banana recipes and ideas that are sure to be frightfully fun at your Halloween get together. Pick your poison and dig in! Happy Halloween!

Banana Creepy Crawler: Slice a GROW banana into 1” thick slices. Spread each slice with organic almond butter. Assemble slices together on a plate. Almond butter will act as glue. Stick organic pretzel rods through almond butter to act as legs. Place two raisins at the head for eyes.

Banana ghosts: Cut a peeled GROW banana in half. Insert popsicle sticks into one end. Take two organic O-shaped oat cereal rounds and stick on the banana. These will be the eyes. Take three mini organic chocolate chips. Stick two in the middle of the Os, and one underneath to act as a mouth.

Witches Fingers: Slice GROW bananas in half lengthwise and across. Melt a combination of organic white and dark chocolates together. Dip banana segments in melted chocolate and cover completely. Place a whole chocolate-covered almond on the tip to act as a “fingernail.” Cover in wax paper and freeze for at least 3 hours.

Cauldron of Slime: Melt 16 ounces of organic baking chocolate. Stir In 2 tablespoons of organic cream and 12 drops of green food coloring. Pour into a Halloween-themed dish or bowl. Add some dry ice. Serve with sliced GROW bananas.

Puss Slush: Mix 6 cups of water with 1.5 cups of tourmaline sugar. Add 5 oz of frozen orange juice, 2 oz frozen lemon juice, 1 cup of pineapple juice and 5 mashed GROW bananas. Freeze for at least 3 hours. When ready to serve, mix in 4 quarts of lemon-lime soda and beat to a slushy consistency.

All of us at Organics Unlimited would like to wish you a happy and safe Halloween!

PMA's Fresh Summit 2010 a GROWing Success!

PMA's Fresh Summit "Let's Grow" 2010 show in Orlando, Florida was a great experience for Organics Unlimited. As a first-time exhibitor, Organics Unlimited met some industry insiders and learned more about trends and new advancements in the produce industry.

This insightful conference, with over 18,000 attendees, enabled Organics Unlimited to share all the great successes of the GROW program and how we are making a difference in the organic produce industry. With a long history of organic banana growing, Organics Unlimited continues to GROW its business offering fresh, sustainable, locally-grown organic bananas.

Congratulations to all participants and we look forward to PMA's Fresh Summit 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia!

Organics Unlimited Heads to PMA Show in Orlando!

As a first-time exhibitor at PMA's Fresh Summit Show, the industry's largest international produce convention, Organics Unlimited is heading to Orlando, Florida beginning today October 15 through October 18, 2010 to provide information about current organic produce, the GROW Fund (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers) and how Organics Unlimited is making a difference.
Since 2005, the GROW Fund has granted over $500,000 in support of social programs in Mexico and Ecuador, providing a hand up to workers and their families in the areas where Organics Unlimited bananas are grown.

Mayra Velazquez de Leon, President of Organics Unlimited will be attending at booth #826 to provide information on the benefits of Organics Unlimited:

• Premier supplier of organic bananas in the US and Asia
• Year-round supply from our farms in Mexico & Ecuador
• Harvested and shipped same day
• Certified by USDA/NOP, GlobalGAP, JAS and GROW
• Socially-responsible
Follow on Twitter @organicsunlimited for the latest news from #freshsummit.

GROW - The Key to Future Generations

GROW has been funding programs in Mexico since 2005, and we have many success stories that we've described in the past. A big portion of the funds currently go to help educational programs, and we have many students who will help to make the next generations in their families and communities smarter and more productive through their studies. But as this picture shows, these students also maintain their heritage as they prepare for special festivals.

What is GROW doing in Colima for the students this year, and how will this impact the area? Students as young as junior high age apply for GROW scholarships, since that is the age when there starts to be some expense to education for them and their families. In order to help the whole community in the best way, students are chosen based on both the promise they show and the need in their families for financial help.

In the 2010-2011 school year, GROW is providing scholarships that include such things as books, uniforms, school supplies, and homework assistance to eight junior high age students. Of these, six are returning students, and two are new to the program. Returning students mean they are continuing to do well in their studies, and are motivated to move ahead. And these stuents are required to consistently attend homework sessions and provide community service throughout the year that will help other families and neighbors.

Seven students are going to high school in the area, thanks to GROW. Six of these students have already been part of the GROW experience, either as junior high or high school students, and one is a new applicant who is starting his first year of high school this year. Like the junior high students, these scholars get a similar type of funding, and have similar requirements for homework sessions and community service.

Then there are the university students, and through the success of GROW's work in the past five years, our number of college students has grown. It is a few of our university students who are shown in the photo. We now have thirteen students at the University of Colima, studying a variety of disciplines, including:

• Civil engineering


• Agricultural engineering


• Nursing


• Mechanical & electrical engineering


• Tourism


• International relations


• Language education


• Special education


• Psychology


• Architecture


• International trade


• Business administration

This is the shining light in the future for these children of impoverished workers living in third world conditions. They are a dynamic, energetic and intelligent group of young people who need the assistance to allow them to reach their potential. The purchase of GROW bananas is what provides this opportunity. Donations are also accepted online.