The Banana Split

Expected outcome

To learn how the conventional market functions and how profits are distributed
To reflect on how we as consumers can improve the situation and bring this perspective in the group’s vision and mission statements.

Duration

30 to 45 minutes

Materials

- 6 bananas, one for each group in the food chain (5 in total) and one for final demonstration
- 5 knives, one for each group
- cards with role descriptions (optional) : bridgedale360.org

Origin of Tool

Abstract

This activity aims at raising awareness on the impact of personal choices. It starts from an insight into the production of bananas and how profit is split among different groups involved in the production chain.“The customer is always right!” – claims the dogma of the growth-focused consumer machinery. The consumers know best and can make their own choices. But the consumers are exposed to a myriad of choices in the supermarket – what if the consumer is blindfolded and makes the choices based only on what is good value for money?

Content

1. Tell the group that they are about to play a game that traces the route of the banana – from how it is produced and exported from producing countries to how it reaches the supermarket.
2. Divide the group into 5 different smaller groups representing links in the food chain (worker, plantation owner, shipper, importer/wholesaler and retailer). Provide instructions on what responsibilities each group has in the chain and the costs involved. You can create cards with details about each role; inspiration for the role you can find in the support material (see “attached support files” below). Each group is given 5 minutes to contemplate what their role entails. Ask each group to think about the costs associated, ex. the banana worker: How many hours does the banana worker put in daily? How much money does the plantation owner spend on pesticides and fertilisers? How much money does the importer spend on transportation or importation license fee? What about the shipper and the price of a cargo ship used to transport the bananas? What other costs do the supermarkets (retailer) have besides the cost of staff?
3. Ask the participants to imagine that one banana costs 30p. Each group should then assess how much of that money they would get from each banana sold. Give them 5 minutes to discuss this and prepare arguments, taking into account all the work and resources their role entails.
4. Each group is given a real banana from which they cut a piece representing their share, as they think it is fair to have for their role. Make a new “banana” from the pieces (most likely it will be 2-3 times longer than a normal one)
5. Each group presents their arguments about their share, which normally leads to a sum over 30p. Start the negotiations, attempting to reach the sum of 30p. The negotiations can take up to 15 min depending on people’s arguments.

Wrap up

In the end, reveal who gets what in the 30-penny banana chain – slice up a new banana to better illustrate the real breakdown (plantation worker – 1p; plantation owner – 6p; shipper – 4,5p; importer/wholesaler – 8,5p and retailer/supermarket – 10p)