CHARLOTTE, N.C. — 2024 is Dole Food Company’s 125th year of banana business, which began in 1899 with brothers Joseph, Felix and Lucca Vaccaro, and Salvador D’Antoni.

The company has kicked off a ‘125 Ways to Be Bananas’ campaign to celebrate the ‘Banana-versary’ with contests, partnerships, recipes and special appearances by mascot Bobby Banana.

cluster of dole bananasSource: Dole Food Company

“From humble beginnings, Dole has become synonymous with bananas, forever changing the way we experience this delicious and nutritious fruit,” said William Goldfield, director of corporate communications for Dole. “As we celebrate 125 years of growth, innovation, and our commitment to grow, process, and distribute our produce responsibly, we invite the world to join us on a journey that traces the deep roots of Dole's past and paves the way for a brighter future.”

Dole shared six ways the ‘125 Ways to Be Bananas’ campaign aims to create consumer engagement:

Bobby Banana mascot on a SkateboardSource: Dole Food Company
  1. Bunches of banana-focused breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snack and smoothie recipes created exclusively by Dole over the decades.
  2. A series of free digital downloads and hands-on DIY activities celebrating all things DOLE Banana throughout 2024.
  3. A showcase of ‘125 Ways to Be Bananas,’ that includes fun, actionable banana tips, tricks and engagements being shared on Dole’s Facebook and Instagram stories pages all year long.
  4. Creation of a Dole Banana Hall of Fame that welcome inductees — including restaurants, people and places who continue to have a lasting appeal on the iconic nature and universal appeal of the fruit.
  5. A growing calendar of Dole 125th Banana-versary contests, events, proclamations and partnerships including appearances by Bobby Banana and Dole’s largest celebration of April 17’s National Banana Day in its history.
  6. Opportunities to join in on the Banana-versary conversation and share Dole and banana memories through #DoleBananaVersary.

Goldfield said Dole also wants to highlight its corporate responsibility efforts through its global initiative The Dole Way.

“As the global banana and produce industry has grown because of Dole, so too has our obligation to lead in the protection of people, food and nature for future generations,” Goldfield said. “Our programs in water management, climate change, waste reduction, employee social equity and health and nutrition are helping to ensure another 125 years of DOLE Bananas and a happy, healthy global fanbase.”

The campaign’s social media hashtags include #DoleBananaVersary, #DoleBananas125, #BananasForTheFuture, #BananaVersary and #Fresh4Future.

Dole 125 years of bananas logoSource: Dole Food Company