“We were the first company to bring organic bananas to the US, back in 1974,” says Mayra Velazquez de León with Organics Unlimited. “My dad is a pioneer in the industry and today, we still are the only family-owned banana business. We have our own farms, but because supply is not enough, we also contract with other growers and collaborate in managing their farms,” added Velazquez de León.
Diversification
Diversification is a key term at Organics Unlimited. “We diversify at the production end, but also in the market place,” he said. Bananas are sourced from two different countries: Mexico and Ecuador. “About 85 percent of our supply comes from Mexico and the remaining 15 percent is grown in Ecuador.”
In the market place, Organics Unlimited sells organic bananas under its organic label, but also under a socially responsible label, GROW, that takes the organic banana a step further. Bananas are sold to distributors on the US West Coast, as well as in the Vancouver area and into Japan.
GROW label is 90 percent of business
“We believe in what we do,” shared Velazquez de León. “In 2005, we launched our socially responsible label, GROW. All our bananas are grown organically, but the GROW bananas enable us to take care of our workers, families and their communities.” There is a surplus of $0.60 per 38 lb. box. As a result of GROW, 25 kids each year receive scholarships. Children have graduated as engineers, accountants and medical professionals. Organics Unlimited also provides dental and vision clinics and helps teenagers with setting up micro businesses. “More recently, we have become involved in the Environmental Health Coalition at the US/Mexico border, which aims to protect public health and the environment threatened by toxic pollution.”
“The GROW brand is so well-received in the market place that it makes up 90 percent of our sales,” shared Velazquez de León. “Some of our customers buy only GROW bananas.”
For more information:
Mayra Velazquez de León
Organics Unlimited
Tel: 619-710-0658