Dole Names New Orleans a “Top Banana” Market; Kicks Off Its “Go Bananas” Tour in the Big Easy

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Dole Names New Orleans a “Top Banana” Market; Kicks Off Its “Go Bananas” Tour in the Big Easy

NEW ORLEANS - (Business Wire) New Orleans residents are passionate about their bananas – so much so that the world’s largest banana provider has named The Big Easy as a “Top Banana Market” and designated it as the launch city for a summer-long tour designed to encourage new uses for America’s favorite fruit.

The Go Bananas After Dark Tour™ kicks-off in New Orleans the week of June 28, 2010, as part of a summer-long initiative by Dole to challenge the notion of America’s favorite fruit as a breakfast and lunch food only. Conceived by Dole Fresh Fruit Company, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company, Inc., the world’s largest provider of fresh bananas, the first-ever program offers banana lovers in Louisiana and throughout the country fun, intriguing new ways to enjoy the iconic fruit for dinner, dessert and as a unique addition to their summer backyard or beach BBQ parties.

“Most Louisianans wouldn’t even think of a breakfast or lunch without bananas,” explained David Bright, vice president of marketing for Dole Fresh Fruit. “In fact, this devotion has made bananas the top-selling item in grocery stores, enjoyed in more than 96 percent of American homes. Yet, even some of the most ardent banana fans aren’t aware of the amazing things you can do with bananas on the grill and as a healthier dessert indulgence.”

As a “Top Banana Market,” New Orleans has been singled out by Dole for significant local advertising, online, PR and retailer activities to encourage the city’s disproportionately large percentage of banana-loving residents to widen their banana horizons even further. Dole also will be working with local retailers on a number of local in-store programs.

A key component of the summertime initiative is the development and distribution of delicious new Dole banana recipes and serving ideas for dinner, dessert and summer grilling. The new Go Bananas After Dark recipe library – ranging from Grilled Banana S’mores and Island Kabobs with Tropical Fruit Salsa to Teriyaki Pork Chops with Grilled Bananas and the classic Brennan’s Original Bananas Foster – will be available at www.dole.com/bananas and a new DOLE Bananas-dedicated Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dolebananas.

According to Bright, included in the recipe library are several like the ten-minute Grilled Bananas and Grilled Banana Boats that leverage the banana’s reputation as a guilt-free food, containing no fat, cholesterol or sodium. “Bananas are one of the few genuine summertime treats that provide considerable health benefits,” he 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 very decadent desserts.”

As part of its emphasis on New Orleans, Dole has partnered with Brennan’s New Orleans, the venerable French Quarter restaurant famous for its French Creole cuisine and invention of the Bananas Foster. Brennan’s Executive Chef Lazone Randolph will work with Judith Fertig and Karen Adler, the famous “BBQ Queens” from Kansas City, to demonstrate new dessert and grilled banana recipes.

Other Go Bananas After Dark Tour stops include Kansas City and Des Moines, Iowa.

Dole is also participating in the summer-long 2010 Char-Broil® Infrared Grilling Tour. Sponsored by Char-Broil® (www.charbroil.com), a leading marketer of infrared grills and other outdoor cooking products, the tour gives Dole the chance to introduce grilled DOLE Bananas to BBQ enthusiasts in more than 20 cities and at major summer BBQ events including the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival in Cary, N.C., the DC BBQ Battle in Washington, D.C., and Nashville’s Music City BBQ Festival.

For more information on DOLE Bananas, including recipes, serving suggestions and nutritional information, go to www.dole.com/bananas or www.facebook.com/dolebananas. High-resolution photography of DOLE Bananas, recipes, serving suggestions and marketing campaign elements also are available.

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 100 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. Each year, Dole spends millions of dollars growing and shipping bananas using the most advanced techniques available.

About Dole Foods

Dole, with 2009 net revenues of $6.8 billion, is the world’s largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, and is the leading producer of organic bananas. Dole markets a growing line of packaged and frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research. For more information, visit www.dole.com.

About Brennan’s New Orleans

Legendary Brennan's Restaurant in New Orleans has been the favorite of Harry Connick, Jr., Anthony Hopkins and countless other celebrities since it was opened in 1946 by Edward Brennan, who once kept an apartment on Bourbon Street just for the use of his celebrity friends. Today, the iconic French Quarter restaurant often serves as many as 1,000 guests for breakfast on a weekend morning in its 12 dining rooms. Why 12 dining rooms? The historic building was constructed in 1795 as the home of Vincent Rillieux, great grandfather of French artist Edgar Degas. It retains the charm of a grand mansion with each dining room offering its own unique atmosphere. Serving the finest in French-Creole cuisine, Brennan's is open 364 days a year (only closed for Christmas).