FAQ

Equifruit is North America’s leading Fairtrade banana importer and marketer. Established in 2006, we are a banana brand that takes fair pay for farmers seriously. Our bananas don’t just taste delicious, they support justice. Who said we can’t do both?

Equifruit is obsessed with righting the wrongs of banana business history. Why? Because bananas have been way too cheap for way too long. Behind that bargain bunch is a century of potentially shady business, crushing wages, trash working conditions, and a whole lot of “look the other way.” At Equifruit, we said: nope. We’re here to flip the banana industry on its head and make fair pay for banana farmers the new normal. Because exploitation in the 21st century? That’s bananas.

Equifruit is improving the banana industry through our Fairtrade business practices. Every Equifruit banana you see on grocery store shelves is 100% Fairtrade-certified. No exceptions. Our bananas aren’t just a nutritious snack; they’re supporting fair pay and safer working conditions for banana farmers.

Equifruit is led by the dream team of Jennie Coleman, President, and Kim Chackal, VP of Sales and Marketing. We’re a proud Canadian business that started in Quebec back in 2006. We’re here to shake up the banana industry, and our goal is Global Fairtrade Banana Domination. Brace yourselves.

A Banana Badass is anyone bold enough to join us in challenging the banana industry status quo. Together with our Banana Badass squad we’re building a fairer fruit aisle and changing the world, one banana at a time.

Becoming a Banana Badass is simple. You can back our mission and fulfil your Banana Badass potential by choosing bananas with a purpose (hint, they’re the ones with Equifruit branding.) Looking for extra Banana Badass points? Shout us out on socials @equifruit, share the Fairtrade love, and rope your crew into the fair pay for banana farmers movement. Let’s make some noise for Fairtrade.

Equifruit has three main certifications. Every Equifruit banana, organic or conventional, is 100% Fairtrade-certified. Equifruit is also women-owned (certified by WEConnect) and a proud B Corp.

You can buy Equifruit Fairtrade bananas in select stores across Canada and the U.S. Check out our Find Our Products page for the full list of stores. We're working nonstop to bring our Fairtrade bunches to stores across North America. The good word (and good fruit) is spreading. Get ready.

To ask your grocery store to stock Equifruit, head to our Find Our Products page, select your store, and we'll hook you up with a ready-to-send email. Just plug in your name and hit send. Congrats, you're now part of the Banana Badass squad. Let's get those shelves sorted and Equifruit-stocked.

You can be sure that Equifruit bananas are Fairtrade because they all carry the Fairtrade Mark. It's like a secret handshake for ethical fruit lovers. It's confirmation that Equifruit and the growers that we work with are both certified and verified by Fairtrade.

Fairtrade bananas are not much more expensive than other bananas. The price difference is on average a matter of cents. The real mystery is: why are non-Fairtrade bananas so cheap? Behind that cheap price tag are potential poverty wages, nasty working conditions and zero job security. When you buy Equifruit, you're choosing justice over exploitation. And it only costs $5 more per year to upgrade to Equifruit Fairtrade bananas. That's basically the same price as a latte, but it has a big impact for banana farmers.

Every Equifruit banana is 100% Fairtrade-certified, organic or conventional, which means better pay, safer working conditions and long-term support for banana farmers. Oh, and did we mention they're tasty as heck? Get the full banana backstory in this bite-sized video.

No, organic is not the same as Fairtrade. In fact, they're totally different, but often confused. Organic is only about how the bananas are grown (no GMOs, no synthetic pesticides). Fairtrade has a lot of the same standards around how fruit is grown, and it also includes standards for how growers are treated. Under Fairtrade, farmers are paid fairly, have better working conditions and child labor is a no-no. Equifruit bananas, both organic and non-organic are Fairtrade-certified. So, whether you go organic or conventional, you're still fighting the good fight with every bite.

How long it takes for bananas to ripen in your fruit bowl depends partly on how ripe they are when you buy them as well as the temperature in your home. Bananas ripen faster in warm temperatures and when near ethylene-producing fruits like apples, pears and mangoes. To speed up the ripening process, just pop them in a paper bag with ethylene-producing fruits and let nature work its magic.

If your bananas are still green weeks after you bought them, the ripening may have been disrupted in transit. Hit us up and we'll peel back the mystery.

Banana smoothies, banana ice cream, banana pancakes, banana bread… With Equifruit bananas in your fruit bowl, you have a world of possibility ahead. Feeling fancy? Try an acai bowl. Feeling lazy? Just peel and snack. Equifruit bananas are your all-access pass to nutritious deliciousness.

Yes, Equifruit bananas are ripened with ethylene. Ethylene is a totally natural and safe ripening gas that bananas produce themselves. All bananas imported globally are ripened in special ripening rooms with a combo of ethylene gas, heat and humidity.

Equifruit organic Fairtrade bananas are totally pesticide-free. Our organic bananas are certified by Ecocert and approved by USDA and CFIA. For Equifruit conventional bananas, Fairtrade rules strictly limit pesticide usage, with a total ban on many of the most harmful pesticides out there. Choosing Fairtrade bananas means cleaner produce and a cleaner conscience. We'd call that a win-win.

Fairtrade-certified means that Equifruit, and our grower partners, stick to strict standards set by Fairtrade International, including fair wages, safe working conditions, plus a ban on child and forced labor. Every Equifruit banana is 100% Fairtrade-certified, priced to pay farmers fairly and factor in the local cost of sustainable production.

You should care about Fairtrade bananas because for way too long, banana farmers have got the short end of the stick: low pay, poor treatment, plus dubious environmental practices, all in the name of cheap bananas. At Equifruit, we are calling time on this poor behavior. Equifruit Fairtrade bananas prioritize people and planet, with better wages, rigorous standards, and a fairer deal for farmers. That’s what Equifruit is all about.

Banana farming can have a serious environmental impact when not done right. That's why the Fairtrade Standards are designed to keep farming on the straight and narrow: no bulldozing forests, and protections for wildlife and ecosystems. At Equifruit, our commitment to sustainability isn’t just talk, it’s third-party certified. Want to know more? The Fairtrade website has the full story.

The Fairtrade Premium is a payment for banana farmers, set by Fairtrade International at $1 US per 40lb case of bananas. This is paid on top of the Fairtrade Minimum Price for their fruit and goes directly to banana farmers. It’s up to them to decide how to spend their Fairtrade Premium according to their priorities, whether it’s education, medical care, housing, climate resilience, or other community improvement projects.

The Fairtrade Premium can help local communities in a number of ways. Examples include new school equipment, medical clinics, clean water systems, training, and climate resilience. Farmers decide democratically how to use their Fairtrade Premium for projects that help their farms and communities. These projects are locally led and built to last. One dollar in Fairtrade Premium per case of bananas might not sound like much, but multiply it by the million plus cases Equifruit imports annually, and these funds become a game-changer.

To date, Equifruit has paid over $6 million US in Fairtrade Premium to farmers.

Independent third-party auditor FLOCERT makes sure that Equifruit, and our grower partners, uphold the Fairtrade Standards, with regular inspections and assessments. If the Fairtrade Standards aren’t met, certification is removed. That’s the deal. We stay accountable and your bananas stay Badass.

Under Fairtrade, banana farmers earn at least the Fairtrade Minimum Price for their fruit, or more, if the market price is higher. The Minimum Price is set by Fairtrade International to cover the real cost of farming sustainably (aka not cutting corners with wages and unpaid overtime). In the regular banana market, it’s virtually impossible for farmers to predict how much they will get for their fruit. Fairtrade offers farmers a more stable, predictable income, with a little bit extra to plan for the future.

No, the band on Equifruit bananas is not yet recyclable. We are actively working on a recyclable band for Equifruit organic bananas. Banana packaging is a tricky beast, balancing shelf life, protection and sustainability, but we’re on it. Stay tuned for updates!

If you want to buy Equifruit Fairtrade bananas for your store(s), drop us a line and let’s make your Fairtrade dreams come true.

No, Equifruit does not currently sell any fruit aside from bananas. But team Equifruit has an open mind and dreams big. What Fairtrade fruit would you like to see on the shelves? Hit us up and let’s get creative.

Yes, Equifruit sells organic and conventional bananas. Name your preference, we’ve got you sorted. Both are Fairtrade-certified, and both are officially delicious. Take it from us, this ethically grown fruit is not to be missed.

Equifruit Fairtrade bananas come from Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. We only work with Fairtrade-certified producers who grow the most delicious, creamy bananas you can imagine. Your customers, our bananas, the love story writes itself.

To learn more about logistics and delivery options for retail partners, send us a message and we’d love to get into it with you. With Equifruit, not only do you get showstopper fruit, you can also expect smooth delivery and great service along the way.

Equifruit offers several turnkey marketing and merchandising solutions for retailers. From branded displays to social content, our marketing support for retailers will help you turn your banana aisle into a destination. We can tailor a toolkit that fits your vibe and makes your customers fall in love.