No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsBusinessWhole Foods' responsibly grown rating system labels Costa Rican bananas grown at...

Whole Foods’ responsibly grown rating system labels Costa Rican bananas grown at EARTH University as ‘Best’

Bananas produced at EARTH University’s commercial plantation in the Caribbean province of Limón this month were classified as “best” at Whole Foods stores in Canada and the U.S.

The supermarket chain’s new “Responsibly Grown” produce rating system was launched earlier in October and divides fruits, flowers and vegetables into three categories: Good, Better and Best, based on suppliers’ farming practices.

Labels displaying the new classifications are being added throughout the chain’s 400-plus locations in both countries, “with the goal of helping consumers make informed decisions regarding their food,” Whole Foods said in a statement.

According to the classification system, a “Best” rating indicates “exceptional, industry-leading performance in a scoring system covering 16 farming practices to protect air, soil, water and human health, GMO transparency, pest management, farmworker welfare, water conservation and protection, soil health and waste reduction.

“We are proud of this recognition. Our customers now will know more about the university’s efforts in sustainable banana production. Our sustainable practices and social responsibility differentiate us from the rest of the market as we produce bananas in harmony with the environment. And, all of our produce is carbon-neutral,” said Roger Ruiz, the university’s commercial banana operations manager.

All income earned from EARTH bananas is used to fund scholarships for students, mostly from rural areas, the university states on its website.

Approximately 400 students from over 30 countries currently study at EARTH, and 60 percent of those receive a full scholarship. Remaining students receive some type of financial aid.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Coast Guard Seizes Illegal Gillnets in Protected Refuge

Costa Rican Coast Guard officers pulled nearly a kilometer of illegal gillnets from protected waters in the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge during...

Costa Rica Women’s National Team Coach Steps Down Amid World Cup Push

The Costa Rican Soccer Federation dropped a major update this week: Spanish coach Beni Rubido is stepping down from his role with the women's...

Juanes Lands in Costa Rica to Shoot Videos for New Tracks

Colombian singer Juanes has arrived in Costa Rica, turning our country's landscapes into backdrops for his latest music videos. The artist, known for hits...

El Salvador Rolls Out Bitcoin Bonds Amid Crypto Surge

El Salvador has pushed forward with its bold experiment in cryptocurrency, launching Bitcoin-backed bonds that tie the nation's finances directly to the volatile world...

Costa Rica Pesticide Use Harms Soil Life, UNA Study Finds

Costa Rica is one of the countries that uses the most agrochemicals, which has a series of negative repercussions in various areas. A recent...

Costa Rica’s Hyatt Centric Escazú Finalist in GRI Awards

Costa Rica's hotel scene keeps building momentum on the global stage. The Hyatt Centric San José Escazú stands out as a finalist for Best...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica