According to the Australian Banana Growers' Council (ABGC), bananas will be returning in good supply to supermarkets from the end of September. My fruit bowl, for one, will be truly thankful!
To herald the return of fresh banana supplies, an event titled Banana Bounceback will be held in Martin Place, Sydney, on Tuesday, 27 September. A pallet of bananas donated by Innisfail grower, Steve Lizzio, will go on auction. The bananas are from Mr Lizzio's first crop. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the McGrath Foundation. ABGC President, Cameron Mackay commented that growers 'are over the moon' that supplies of Australia's number one fruit will once again start to satisfy customer demand. "We'd like to thank consumers for their patience and understanding during this time of re-growth. Production levels are on their way up and this is good news for everyone," Mr Mackay said. The Australian banana industry suffered a devastating hit in February, when Tropical Cyclone Yasi swept through the Tully and Innisfail region in Queensland, wiping out 95 per cent of production in that area; ten per cent on the Atherton Tablelands and a further 100 per cent in the Kennedy area south of Cardwell. A Federal recovery package was announced by the PM in February. The Banana Bounceback auction takes place at 8.30am on Tuesday, 27 September. Be there, if you can, to support the initiative. Yes, we have no bananas in the market basket this week, but the countdown is on, according to Stewart Lindsay, banana growing expert and Queensland Government adviser to the banana industry.
Bananas from cyclone affected Tully and Innisfail will be back in stores in late September. This is great news for many growers who have had no income since February. Four and a bit weeks and counting. Until then, I'm using snap frozen bananas from last season in all my baking, although, I have heard reports of bananas (which are selling for around $11.00 per kilo in supermarkets) being on sale at farmer's markets and some greengrocers for around $5-6.00 per kilo. This is great news! Indulge if you find them. |
Market BasketGood Things in season and ripe for the market basket each month. |