AU company finds way to monetise banana waste
Bananas not suitable for sale, including those that are discoloured or blemished, are now taken to processing sheds, ripened, peeled, and frozen for sale – mostly selling to bakeries for products such as banana bread and muffins.
Mr Mackay said that, while waste would traditionally go back into the paddock as compost or to feed cattle, the family had devised a way to monetise it - and is now in the process of expanding their freezing operation.
“We do 10kg boxes of pulp bananas, freeze it, and that product then is sent on to processors - mainly bakeries,” he said.
He said after seven years of developing the frozen product and marketing it, it is finally coming into its own. Finally in the last 18 months we’re at a point where it's a substantial, solid market that's there week-in, week-out."
“It's moving well enough now that we're at a point where we're considering further investment to actually expand that operation and make sure we make use of all our waste, is possible.
Mr Mackay said the banana peels are also utilized and are shredded and turned into compost for the Mackay’s plantations.
Read more at goodfruitandvegetables.com.au
