Today, we went to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica for an organic banana and pineapple tour. During our banana tour, we walked around the plantation, learning how they produce their bananas. At this plantation, they create produce with their bananas and want to have it, so they process their own and other farmers’ bananas. Bananas were transported by train, and in 1872, 360 bunches of bananas were exported to New Jersey. This was the very first export of bananas. These bananas were small, and people wanted them to be more significant. Thus, cavendish bananas were created and are sold at grocery stores today. Now, there are over 1000 different kinds of bananas. At this plantation, they not only produce bananas, but they also grow lemons, avocados, and much more. They have bananas all year round. They grow these other crops to utilize their space and prevent them from having to buy food at the market for themselves. In terms of sustainability, once the banana trees are cut, they use the parts of the tree as compost. Compared to coffee, the supply chain of bananas is less complex. They plant the banana trees and cut the bananas off when they are ripe. After the bananas are ready, they sell them or make other food items. With coffee, they need to be picked, layers need to come off; they need to dry, roast, etc. A risk that can occur on this farm is if a disease were to spread, all of the plants, including bananas, would have to be removed. Chiquita utilizes pesticides to prevent this risk. That said, coffee is better for the environment because it uses organic fertilizer instead of pesticides. After our tour, we were able to help make patacones, fried, smashed plantains, and they were very delicious.

Next, we visited an organic pineapple plantation. We rode on a trailer pulled by a big tractor to see where the pineapple was grown. We even tasted a fresh pineapple that the guide cut right before us. It was the best pineapple I have ever had! At this plantation, they use a natural fertilizer containing pieces from the pineapple on their plants twice a week. They use pepper to prevent moths from laying eggs on the leaves and plow the soil weekly to kill fly eggs to benefit the community. These pineapple workers receive 20-22 dollars daily, which can get up to 45 dollars. Compared to a coffee farm, the pineapple process is simple. Like bananas, pineapple plantations only require planting and waiting to grow and be picked. A risk for pineapple plantations is also diseases and fungi. To avoid erosion, they use plastic bags or herbicides in their gardens and reduce the temperature of the water/soil. At the end of this tour, we had pina coladas! I love it when we try the products these farms are growing! 

If I were to choose, I would opt for the coffee plantation. The thought of carrying around big batches of bananas or pineapples doesn’t appeal to me. At the coffee plantation, the variety of roles available due to the numerous processing steps is intriguing. I also have a preference for the coffee plantation because I wouldn’t have to deal with banana spiders and other bugs in the fields. Overall, I believe I would excel at picking ripe cherries or roasting coffee, making the coffee plantation my ideal choice.