Jacksonville Florida Named Top Banana City
By: Amy Jeanroy
Published: June 27, 2011

We all love bananas. No one loves them  more than Jacksonville, FL.,  residents it seems. Dole, the world's largest provider of fresh bananas, has a tour called Go Bananas after Dark, which offers banana lovers throughout the country fun new ways to enjoy this perfectly packaged fruit. Jacksonville, FL., has been singled out by Dole for significant local advertising, and banana related activities, both online and off.  The Go Bananas tour has named Jacksonville, this year's Top Banana City.
 
The  After Dark tour, has been expanded to include a recipe library with some exceptionally different and yummy sounding recipes. From the press release: 
Expanded Go Bananas After Dark recipe library -- now including not only grilled banana entrees and side dishes but also banana-themed desserts and alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. Featured recipes range from Grilled Bananas Foster and Teriyaki Pork Chops with Grilled Bananas to Tropical Breeze Banana Panini, Banana Hazelnut Dessert Wontons and five exotic, banana-laced cocktails that can be enjoyed with or without alcohol.
 

The banana is versatile and healthy treat. According to VP of Marketing for Dole Fresh Fruit, David Bright, 
"Bananas are one of the few genuine summertime treats that provide considerable health benefits," Bright said. "In addition to qualifying as an excellent source of vitamins B6 and C and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber, they can provide the natural sweetness for some surprisingly indulgent desserts."
 

Bananas are number 30 (out of 53-lower number the better) on the Enviromental Working Group's list of pesticide levels, making them middle of the road, if deciding to buy them organically or not. Luckily, Dole is the world's largest producer of organic bananas as well.