CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA – The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) lay out a framework for addressing the most pressing issues on the planet by 2030. ONE Banana has aligned their Corporate Social Responsibility programs with these goals, so that their efforts to promote economic development, gender equality, health, education, sustainable communities, natural resource conservation, measures to adapt to climate change and responsible management will contribute to the United Nations vision
ONE Banana’s corporate social responsibility projects include providing access to medical clinics, nutritional programs, and education that have benefited more than 19,000 people, across twelve rural communities in Guatemala. “We believe that when all our co-workers are treated with dignity and respect, earn a Living Wage, and have access to healthcare and education it strengthens their communities as well as improves our competitive advantage and our business potential,” says Fernando Bolaños, CEO of ONE Banana.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal # 1 End all poverty everywhere. According to the Borgen Project, a nonprofit organization working to end poverty, half the population of Central America lives below the poverty line and in rural areas the figure rises to two-thirds. Honduras has the highest poverty rate and Guatemala is second.
ONE Banana has created more than 9,000 jobs in their banana operations throughout the year. These employees all benefit from the Living Wage program, the first of its kind in Guatemala. This program established what constitutes a living wage, so that every employee can earn sufficient to provide for their basic needs – not just their biological needs. According to the UN, eradication of poverty is only possible through stable and well-paid jobs.
ONE Banana also works with local small businesses and vendors in the area of their operations. This use of local suppliers has created another 2,500 indirect jobs.
Goal # 2: End hunger, provide food security and adequate nutrition. Food insecurity and hunger are closely associated with with lack of attention, retention and repetition of school.
The “A Banana a Day Makes a Difference” program provides free bananas to school children in the areas around their operations in both Guatemala and Peru. Bananas are a healthy snack and they are one of the only foods that contain six major vitamin groups, as well as minerals such as potassium and manganese. These programs have had a significant impact on school performance and reducing the number of children who are showing signs of malnutrition.
For more information about One Banana please visit www.onebananas.com.
ABOUT ONE BANANA
ONE BANANA is a sustainable grower, shipper and distribution company with operations in the United States, Guatemala, Europe, Peru, Mexico and Ecuador. It has emerged as a leader in socially responsible and environmentally sustainable farming. The Company has implemented rigorously developed workplace safety standards, the latest water conservation and rainwater collection technologies, and industry-leading worker benefits. ONE Banana’s corporate social responsibility projects include providing access to medical clinics, nutritional programs, and education that have benefited more than 19,000 people, across twelve rural communities in Guatemala.
About SDGs
On September 25th 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.
For the goals to be reached, everyone needs to do their part: governments, the private sector, and civil society.
Source: ONE BANANA