Monthly Archives: June 2017

Organics Unlimited Announces Acreage Expansion in Mexico

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Organics Unlimited, an organic banana grower and importer headquartered in San Diego County, is in the midst of expanding farmable acreage in its farms in Colima, Mexico.

 

Expansion began in 2015, when farms counted with 440 hectares, or 1,087 acres. In 2016, farms had expanded to 496 hectares, or 1,225 acres, and by September of 2017, there will be 690 hectares, or 1,705 acres. This growth will continue through 2018 with a goal of reaching 755 hectares, or 1,865 acres by year end.

 

“Dramatic increase in sales of retail produce that is both organic and sustainably grown has fueled a rise in demand,” said Mayra Velazquez de León, president of Organics Unlimited. “Consumers want to know exactly what they are eating, where their produce comes from, how it was grown and the resulting impact on the environment and communities. Our acreage expansion will allow us to meet the demand of our consumers while keeping our commitment to sustainability”

 

New farmland will consist of both virgin soil and soil previously used for conventional farming. Land used for conventional farming has undergone strict conversion protocols to meet organic certification standards and is now ready for organic use. For organic bananas, this means production without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides or fungicides on land that has been free of synthetic chemicals for at least three years.

The acreage expansion will account for a 55 percent increase in organic-certified acres and a 58 percent increase in volume from 2015.

To learn more about our organic bananas and how you can offer Organics Unlimited and GROW organic bananas in your store, please visit OrganicsUnlimited.com. You may also follow Organics Unlimited on Facebook and Twitter for more news.

 

Bananas Make for a Healthy Summer

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Summer is officially here which means many of us are getting out there and being more active. Whether trying to get in shape or just enjoying longer days and warmer temperatures, it is important to nourish your body while you expand more calories! Did you know that bananas, like the organic bananas from Organics Unlimited, can help athletes boost their performance when consumed before, during and after workouts and competitions? Eating half a banana every 15 minutes during exercise is as effective as sipping a comparable amount of sports drink in terms of sustaining exercise performance. Often included as part of a low-fat, heart-healthy diet, bananas offer additional benefits beyond providing energy because they contain a broad range of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and nutrients.

Source of Energy

Each banana, on average, contains 30 g of carbohydrates, which makes it a great source of energy for athletes. Carbs also support muscle activity, making them a great way to fuel up for a workout.  Carbs are also essential for central nervous system maintenance and activity, helping to keep the mind responsive and reflexes intact.

Potassium

The average banana has more than 450 mg of potassium, which is about 13 percent of the potassium you need per day. Potassium is an essential mineral necessary for blood-sugar maintenance and proper heart function. Loaded with potassium, bananas can help protect against high blood pressure. Potassium also helps you retain fluid balance in your body’s cells, which can prevent muscle cramping. Potassium is also necessary for proper muscle growth and development.

Vitamin C

Bananas are a rich source of vitamin C. One banana contains about 15 percent of the vitamin C you need per day. Vitamin C is essential for strengthening muscles, tendons and ligaments, and keeping your immune system strong under the stress of exercise. Vitamin C also helps speed and promote the repair of wounds and soft tissue damage incurred by activities like rigorous exercise. It also plays an essential role in the synthesis of adrenaline throughout physical training.

Convenient and Cost Effective

Eating bananas is one of easiest ways to provides athletes with the nutrients they need for working out. Bananas are fairly cheap, readily available throughout the year and mix easily into protein shakes. They also work well as a simple addition to any kind of breakfast. Eating a banana within two hours before exercise can help sustain energy levels throughout a long workout and help reduce recovery periods after a workout.

To learn more about our organic bananas and how you can offer Organics Unlimited and GROW organic bananas in your store, please visit OrganicsUnlimited.com. You may also follow Organics Unlimited on Facebook and Twitter for more news.

Help GROW make a difference in communities!

organics_unlimited_instore_pop_v2_6_06_167The GROW label from Organics Unlimited has been helping families in the banana growing communities by providing funds to Project Amigo, a non-profit organization. With the financial support they receive from the GROW label, Project Amigo is able to provide the communities with vision clinics, dental clinics, literacy and an educational programs. These services are vital to the community and quite successful. Over 90% of the students that are a part of the Project Amigo scholarship program are attending the university and many have graduated to become very successful. Some of those success stories have continued to be a part of their community and have helped the current students in their health and education.

With each box of GROW bananas sold, a portion of the proceeds go into the GROW Fund. These donations are managed and distributed by the International Community Foundation. Project Amigo in Mexico and Children International in Ecuador are two organizations where GROW has helped build better communities and have changed the lives of many. However, none of this would be possible without the support we receive from you.

In a few months, we will be kicking off GROW month. Every September, we promote GROW and take the opportunity to educate and inspire our consumers to make a difference through their GROW purchases. What does this mean for you? Please start thinking about your merchandising displays and about other ways you can help. We need stores that are willing to host community events such as banana tasting, kid’s events, etc. We also need stores that are ok with live footage being shot inside the store by news crews.

Please consider helping us in helping our communities! With your support in purchasing GROW bananas or creating visual appealing merchandising displays with GROW bananas, together we can make a difference in the banana growing communities.