Episode 2: How a little banana saved our farms

Meet the Co-op Farmers

“When disaster strikes and you can’t see another way out, people become very innovative,” says Sweeter Banana’s Doriana Mangili on how a ‘lunchbox banana’ saved their co-operative farms – despite a stack of geographic and weather circumstances conspiring against them.

This is a story that demonstrates that ingenuity will get you a long way, even in the toughest of environments. Believing in what you do and sticking together as a co-operative help everyone grow their business.

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Episode Notes:
Despite the cyclones and the geographic isolation, Sweeter Banana has not only pioneered the lunchbox banana market, it has remained profitable by sticking together and thinking differently. Carnarvon is home to a group of banana growers whose remarkable co-operation has been forged out of a history of natural disasters and market challenges. The remote WA coast may be the last place you’d imagine finding a group of successful family farmers who changed the way we think about buying bananas. But, despite the unpredictable weather, isolated location and their many differences, the members of Sweeter Banana not only pioneered the lunchbox banana market, it triumphed. Renowned agriculture journalist Pete Lewis talks to Doriana Mangili, Business Manager of the Sweeter Banana Co-operative.

For this fascinating podcast series, you will hear from real farmers who are successfully using co-operative farming business models. Through their stories and real life experiences (warts and all), you will learn how this positive farming model can change lives.

Links & Resources:

• Listen to all podcasts – https://coopfarming.coop/podcasts/
• Watch the video of Pete Lewis interviewing Doriana Mangili on demand – https://coopfarming.coop/coop-conversations/episode-4-part-1-interview/
• Learn more about the co-operative advantage. Watch Pete Lewis talking with farm co-operatives and the challenges that brought them together and co-operative works to mutual benefit. Featuring Doriana Mangili (Sweeter Banana), Brett Kelly (Australian Mango Industry Association), Basil Lenzo (Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative) and Melina Morrison (BCCM) https://coopfarming.coop/coop-conversations/episode-4-part-2-roundtable/
• Want to know more about Sweeter Banana http://www.sweeterbanana.com/
• Find out more about co-op farming – https://coopfarming.coop/
• Contact the Meet the Co-op Farmers Podcast team: https://coopfarming.coop/contact/

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