Why hasn’t Oddbox had bananas before?
If you’ve been with us a while, you might remember that we tried rescuing class 2 bananas back in 2020. The problem was that class 2 bananas can include fruit that’s bruised, brown or overripe, so we ended up wasting more than we could pack. This time, we’ve done lots of tests to make sure our bananas are the right level of ripeness to make it into your boxes in one piece – they’re not rescued, but they also won’t lead to more waste.
Why can’t you rescue surplus bananas?
We’ve looked into this, but as sales of bananas are fairly consistent in the UK, there’s a steady balance of supply and demand. Suppliers to the UK markets also have excellent control measures in their facilities, meaning they can bring green bananas in and ripen them in order to fulfil demand. So, unlike most other fruit and veg, surplus bananas don’t really exist.
Why is Oddbox selling bananas?
We want to make sure our boxes are as convenient as possible, and as 95% of UK households buy bananas each week, it makes sense to include them with the rest of our fruit and veg. We also want to give people as much choice as possible, so if swapping beetroot for bananas will mean less waste, that’s good with us.
Are your bananas grown organically?
Yes, the bananas in our boxes are organically grown and farmed. This means they’re grown and packed on farms which are certified as organic by an accredited body. They’re also sourced and handled in the UK by suppliers with an organic accreditation from a recognised body.
Why aren’t your bananas rescued? Doesn’t this go against Oddbox’s mission?
We’ve tried all sorts of ways to include bananas with our usual rescue mission – the trouble is, surplus bananas don’t really exist. And class 2 bananas can include some that are brown, soft or a bit squished. There’s no point rescuing fruit if it ends up getting wasted at home, so we’ve made the call to source class 1 organically grown and farmed Fairtrade bananas. Because our bananas aren’t rescued, we won’t add them to your box automatically – you can decide if you’d like a bunch.
Won’t bananas affect the other fruit and veg?
Bananas are known to release a gas called ethene, or ethylene, which causes other fruit to ripen. As long as you unpack your box on the morning it arrives, the rest of your fruit and veg shouldn’t be affected. If you think that’s not the case, just get in touch.
How should I store my bananas?
We recommend keeping them slightly separate to your fruit bowl – as bananas ripen, they can speed up the ripening process for apples, pears and avocados. Having said that, if you’d like something else to ripen faster, just pop them back in the bowl to work their magic.
Any tips for using up all my bananas?
You’re in luck – we’ve just added a load of new banana dishes to our recipes page. And if you find your bananas have gone soft before you can eat them, try chopping them up to freeze as a smoothie ingredient. Or – everyone’s favourite lockdown activity – turn them into banana bread.
Do I have to have bananas?
No. We’re very open about the fact that bananas aren’t part of our rescue list, so we won’t pack them in your box automatically. Instead, you can decide if you’d like to add or swap a bunch.
Where are your bananas from?
Our bananas are grown in the Dominican Republic and Colombia.
How does Fairtrade work?
Fairtrade works with farming co-operatives, businesses and governments to make trade fairer. The International Fairtrade system (which the Fairtrade Foundation is a part of) represents the world’s largest and most recognised fair trade system. It is a global organisation working with businesses, consumers and campaigners to secure a better deal for farmers and workers. Their vision is to have a world in which trade is based on fairness so that producers earn secure and sustainable livelihoods.
Fairtrade sets social, economic and environmental standards for the companies and farmers involved in the supply chain. These standards include protection of workers’ rights and the environment. And for companies, they include the payment of the Fairtrade Minimum Price safety net and an extra Fairtrade Premium.