LATROBE, Pa. — Last year, the world watched as Latrobe, Pa., was officially recognized as the birthplace of the banana split with the unveiling of a historical marker from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in honor of National Banana Split Day. This spirited, appealing ceremony, held at the location where the banana split was first created in 1904, kicked-off a weekend-long celebration of the classic American dessert christened the Great American Banana Split Celebration.
Since Dole Fresh Fruit wants to be where banana lovers are, the banana leader teamed up once again with The City of Latrobe and Saint Vincent College to continue this sweet tradition, honoring the iconic, triple-scoop treat – as well as the city where it all began – by hosting Second Annual Great American Banana Split Celebration, a two-day celebration of both the classic banana split and new, healthier versions developed by Dole.
The festival culminated with today’s launch of National Banana Split Day at the exact place in Latrobe, the former site of Tassel Pharmacy, where David Strickler created the first banana split 110 years ago.
“It was our honor last year to receive official recognition for Latrobe as the birthplace of the banana split, explained Latrobe Mayor Rosie Wolford. “But even more – it was an opportunity for the world to celebrate a part of Latrobe’s rich history with a weekend-long event dedicated to America’s favorite dessert. This year, we continued this tradition of the definitive small-town homecoming event for banana and banana-split lovers worldwide.”
Dole Fresh Fruit, based in Westlake Village, Calif., served as a title sponsor of the event and provided thousands of DOLE® Bananas and recipes for banana-themed snacks, entrees, drinks and of course, banana splits. Continuing in its tradition of offering “guilt-free” versions of classic desserts, Dole used its involvement to offer recipes for healthier banana split varieties featuring bananas topped with Greek yogurt, sorbet, honey, pomegranate seeds, berries, sliced pineapples and other fresh fruit.
“Last year we celebrated Latrobe as the birthplace of the banana split but also introduced healthier ways to enjoy this iconic dessert as part of Dole’s commitment to health and nutrition,” said Bil Goldfield, Dole’s director of corporate communications. “As America’s number one banana provider, Dole helped host the 2014 event to reinforce this message that there are healthy-but-fun—and just as delicious— alternatives to the ‘traditional’ banana split.”
The Latrobe Art Center, Latrobe Community Revitalization Program, Latrobe Rotary Club, Valley Dairy Restaurants, Latrobe Business and Professional Women's Club, Latrobe Lions Club, Westmoreland Hope in Action and other local nonprofit and for-profit organizations helped organize the second annual event.
For more information on DOLE Bananas, including recipes, serving suggestions and other information, go to www.dole.com/peelthelove or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dolebananas or www.twitter.com/dolebananas, respectively.
About The City of Latrobe
With its relatively small size and proximity to Pittsburgh, the City of Latrobe affords its residents a full service community nestled within one of Pennsylvania’s most beautiful regions. Home to great neighborhoods, excellent education, the arts, growing parks and recreation as well as strong manufacturing presence, Latrobe is not only a great place to visit, but also an ideal community to call home. Latrobe is recognized as the birthplace of the original banana split, Mr. Fred Rogers, Arnold Palmer, and the first ever professional football team! From its foundation in 1854, Latrobe’s proud past is felt amongst its many current residents, while its future remains aligned to its great heritage as the quintessential American town. To read more, visit www.cityoflatrobe.com.
About Saint Vincent College
Saint Vincent College is a liberal arts and sciences college with a diverse student population of nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Sponsored by the Catholic, Benedictine monks of Saint Vincent Archabbey, it was founded in 1846 and was the first Benedictine college in the United States. Saint Vincent College’s quality educational programs have earned national recognition by U.S. News and World Report (First Tier of National Liberal Arts Colleges) and Forbes business magazine (America’s Best Colleges). Saint Vincent takes special pride in its more than 12,000 alumni who live in all 50 states and in 28 foreign countries. They serve society in the fields of business management, education, finance, medicine, religion, law, government, sales, engineering, computer technology and many others. For information, visit www.stvincent.edu.
About DOLE Bananas
DOLE is the top-selling banana in America and the world — in both conventional and organic product categories. From its founding by James Drummond Dole, the company has built its reputation on a ceaseless commitment to quality. Today, the DOLE brand stands for more than 150 years of quality produce — and the world’s largest supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables, including bananas. Dole strives to grow, produce, harvest, transport and distribute its bananas and other produce in the most environmentally and socially conscious way possible. For information, go to http://www.dole.com/Products/Fresh-Fruits/Bananas
About Dole Food Company, Inc.
Dole Food Company, Inc., is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education and research. For more information, please visit www.dole.com.
Source: Dole Food Company