We were so proud to see Organics Unlimited President and CEO Mayra Velazquez de León featured in the latest issue of FreshPlaza.com! The article, which talks about demand and organic produce, can be read by scrolling below, or can be found on the Fresh Plaza website here.

Organic banana growers say that meeting demand is often their biggest challenge. They point out that demand is increasing in the organic category, while consumers are also on the lookout for more point-of-origin information as well as the social responsibilities companies set out to take care of.

“Bananas have long been one of the most popular items available in the produce department because of their convenience and nutritional value,” said Mayra Velazquez de León, President and CEO of Organics Unlimited. “Organic bananas have quickly been growing in popularity, which is very exciting for companies such as Organics Unlimited. Consumers like to support companies and brands that give back, especially when it comes to social responsibility. That is what our GROW label bananas focus on – making positive social change. In fact, one of the biggest challenges organic banana growers in the industry face is keeping up with demand.”

Mayra Velazquez de León

Velazquez de León also mentioned that organic bananas are distinct from conventional bananas, declaring they are indeed healthier. “Many people believe the misconception that conventional bananas are the same as organic because of the peel,” she said. “Harsh chemicals used in conventional farming leech into the soil, which means they eventually make their way inside the banana. Studies have shown that organic produce is healthier and it is also better for the environment since it avoids producing chemical run-off into precious water sources.”

Production remains strong
January is the middle of the slower production season in Organic Unlimited’s main growing district in Colima, Mexico. However, the company also sources organic bananas from elsewhere in order to meet demand. “During the winter months the supply is bolstered by organic bananas from farms in Ecuador,” Velazquez de León shared. “This is because Ecuador remains much warmer throughout this time of year. As a result, supply to North America at the moment is both healthy and strong.”

She added that the boxes that the company introduced two years ago received positive feedback and are still in circulation. “Organics Unlimited released new packaging two years go which, at the time, included boxes, stickers and tape and it was quite successful. Retailers especially liked the fact that the boxes are bright and colorful while serving as retail displays.”

GROW program developments
One of the foremost programs for Organics Unlimited is their GROW program. GROW, which stands for Giving Resources and Opportunities to Workers, was launched back in 2005 and is an initiative to provide returns to growers and to help their communities. According to the company, social responsibility is a key factor and something that is becoming more significant for consumers.

keep reading the rest of the article here!

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.