Foundation celebrates 16 years of support from Reef Champion banana growers

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation is celebrating 16 years of support from the Reef Champion banana growers behind Pacific Coast Eco Bananas.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden said the Foundation was proud that award-winning Innisfail banana growers Frank and Dianne Sciacca, alongside their certified growers, have been donating a portion of their sales to protect the Reef for the last 16 years.

“Red tip bananas have been helping save the Reef for 16 years now. The Sciacca’s are leading the way in addressing farming practices that have the potential to impact not only on the farm environment but equally important off farm environments such as the Great Barrier Reef,” said Ms Marsden.

“Frank and Dianne Sciacca have been recognised for their efforts by winning a plethora of awards including the coveted Prince of Wales Environmental Leadership – Reef Sustainability (Reef Champion) Award in 2017.”

Pacific Coast Eco Bananas Director Frank Sciacca said healthy farms and healthy waterways are vital for the survival of the Great Barrier Reef which is currently under threat.

“I have been diving on the Reef since I was young and slowly I have seen the degradation of the coral reefs and it made me want to do everything I can,” Mr Sciacca said.

“That is why we created the Ecoganic farming system which focuses on innovation of non-chemical solutions to solve imbalances created by conventional farming.

“We also strive to have zero impact upon nearby waterways and the Great Barrier Reef.

“Eco Bananas and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation have the same goal of protecting the Reef so it makes sense for us to put our support behind such an important organisation.

“Our farming system protects the environment – it encourages all creatures to flourish, contributes to the health of the soil, protects the waterways and produces a far superior banana.”

A percentage of Pacific Coast Eco Bananas is donated to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation for research, a list of stockists is available here. 

Pacific Coast Eco Bananas featured on this week’s edition of ABC Landline, watch the clip here.