In collaboration with nine partner organizations in the Sustainable Agriculture Network, the Rainforest Alliance has instituted the Better Banana Project. This program addresses environmental and social issues on plantations while also increasing farm efficiency and maintaining high production levels. The ultimate goal of the project is sustainability. It’s a win-win solution, because the work conditions are improved and the plantations are more productive. In 1991, the Rainforest Alliance and its partners established the first standards for responsible banana production. Today, more than 15% of bananas in international trade come for Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. The certified plantations have better water quality, decreased pesticide use and higher quality of life for workers and their families.
Chiquita, one of the big three banana multinationals, has achieved 100% certification of all of its plantations. Del Monte has not. In fact, on the list of Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, Del Monte does not appear once. However, according to its Environmental Policy, Del Monte Fresh Produce Company states that it “recognizes its obligation and responsibility to protect the environment…and worker health, safety and welfare.” They may recognize that they are obligated, but they certainly aren’t doing anything to make their environmental and labor policies better. It is one thing to recognize a responsibility and quite another to actually act in an effort to fulfill one’s obligations.
Fresh Del Monte, you must change your labor and environmental policies. Meeting the minimum requirements or simply lying to inspectors is not sufficient. Take Chiquita as an example. They are a highly successful company, and they are also environmentally responsible. It’s time you take responisibility, not just recongnize it, and do something about the miserable conditions on your plantations.
