“Going Bananas” with EARTH University

Whole Trade Program

EARTH (Escuela de Agricultura de la Región Tropical Húmeda) University

EARTH (Escuela de Agricultura de la Región Tropical Húmeda) is a non-profit, international university dedicated to the sustainable development of the tropics through education and research. EARTH exclusively recruits students from poor, rural communities around the tropics and provides many students with full scholarships so they can attend. When EARTH's founders obtained the land to build the university campus in the late 1980's, the property included a commercial banana farm, which EARTH Decided to keep active as an outdoor laboratory and as a business where they practice the commercial approach to agriculture that they teach. Since then, EARTH's faculty, staff and students have been working to reduce the environmental impact of the farm by protecting biodiversity and radically reducing the amount of chemicals used in typical banana production. EARTH's farm is certified by the Rainforest Alliance and they set off far beyond the requirements of the certification. Some of the environmental techniques developed at EARTH in the early days have become standardized in its industry.

Whole Trade Program with Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market, world’s largest natural and organic foods supermarket, is in trade with EARTH University’s bananas from Costa Rica. The profits from bananas go directly to support education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable agriculture in the developing world.

“EARTH University has taken a leadership role in the banana industry through its environmentally-friendly production methods,” says Michael Besancon, Southern Pacific Regional President for Whole Foods Market. “After visiting the EARTH University campus at the edge of the Costa Rican rainforest, it was clear the university’s mission and curriculum mirrors Whole Foods Market’s commitment to demonstrating workable ecological solutions for the world.” 

EARTH University has built up a high-quality, low-impact and socially-responsible banana farm, which is a model for the banana industry worldwide. The university’s innovative curriculum focuses on creative, economically possible uses for the natural resources of the humid tropics. 

The sustainable and ethical cultivation and packing process includes the following: elimination of herbicides, maintanence of fair treatment and protection of banana plantation workers and planting native trees along rivers to reduce erosion and advances biodiversity.

Earth University and Whole Foods/Company info clip

This video displays a basic information on the organization of EARTH’s farm and its connection between Whole Foods Market.  

Earth University Foundation: Banana Production clip

This particular video solely shows the structure of EARTH University’s banana production, in detail. 

How are EARTH bananas different?

The taste of EARTH banana are less rough and there is more of a depth in sweetness with. In fact, “The EARTH banana has exceptional culinary quality due to the cultural farming practices of the university and growing conditions of the humid tropics in Costa Rica".

"These bananas are full or round in shape because the fruit is very mature at harvest,” says Edmund LaMacchia, National Vice President of Procurement – Perishables for Whole Foods Market. “Consequently EARTH bananas are creamy and moist in texture with a rich and complex flavor.”

For more information visit EARTH University's website