2010-06-29 14:15:31 - Bananas on the Barbie: Intriguing New Grilled Banana Recipes Are the Perfect Addition to Summertime Grilling Parties

DES MOINES, IA -- (Marketwire) -- 06/29/10 -- Des Moines residents are passionate about their bananas -- so much so that the world's largest banana provider has named the Iowa city as a "Top Banana Market" and included it in a summer-long tour designed to encourage new uses for America's favorite fruit.



The Dole Go Bananas After Dark Tour stops in Des Moines July 28-30 as part of a summer-long initiative by Dole to challenge the notion of America's favorite fruit as a breakfast and lunch food only. Conceived by Dole Fresh Fruit Company, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company, Inc., the world's largest provider of fresh bananas, the first-ever program offers banana lovers in Iowa and throughout the country fun, intriguing new ways to enjoy the iconic fruit for dinner, dessert and as a unique addition to their summer backyard or beach BBQ parties.





"Most Iowans wouldn't even think of a breakfast or lunch without bananas," explained David Bright, vice president of marketing for Dole Fresh Fruit. "In fact, this devotion has made bananas the top-selling item in grocery stores, enjoyed in more than 96 percent of American homes. Yet, even some of the most ardent banana fans aren't aware of the amazing things you can do with bananas on the grill and as a healthier dessert indulgence."



As a "Top Banana Market," Des Moines has been singled out by Dole for significant local advertising, online, PR and retailer activities to encourage the city's disproportionately large percentage of banana-loving residents to widen their banana horizons even further. In addition to local advertising, Dole will be partnering with local retailers on a number of local in-store programs.



A key component of the summertime initiative is the development and distribution of delicious new DOLE Banana recipes and serving ideas for dinner, dessert and summer grilling. The new Go Bananas After Dark recipe library -- ranging from Dole Grilled S'Mores and Island Kabobs with Tropical Fruit Salsa to Brennan's New Orleans Original Bananas Foster -- will be available at www.dole.com/bananas : and a new DOLE Bananas-dedicated Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dolebananas : .



According to Bright, included in the recipe library are several like the ten-minute Grilled Bananas and Grilled Banana Boats that leverage the banana's reputation as a guilt-free food, containing no fat, cholesterol or sodium. "Bananas are one of the few genuine summertime treats that provide considerable health benefits," he said. "In addition to qualifying as an excellent source of vitamins B6 and C and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber, they can provide the natural sweetness for some surprisingly decadent desserts."



Dole has partnered with Brennan's New Orleans, the venerable French Quarter restaurant famous for its French Creole cuisine and invention of the Bananas Foster. Brennan's Executive Chef Lazone Randolph will work with Judith Fertig and Karen Adler, the famous "BBQ Queens," to demonstrate new dessert and grilled banana recipes. Other stops on the Go Bananas After Dark Tour include Kansas City, Mo.



Dole is also participating in the summer-long 2010 Char-Broil® Infrared Grilling Tour. Sponsored by Char-Broil®, America's oldest and largest grill brand, the tour gives Dole the chance to introduce grilled DOLE Bananas to BBQ enthusiasts in more than 20 cities and at major BBQ events including Kansas City's Great American BBQ Festival, the DC BBQ Battle in Washington, D.C., and Nashville's Music City BBQ Festival.



For more information on DOLE Bananas, including recipes, serving suggestions and nutritional information from Dole and the Dole Nutrition Institute, go to www.dole.com/bananas : . High-resolution photography of DOLE Bananas, recipes, serving suggestions and marketing campaign elements also are available.



About Dole Bananas
DOLE is the top-selling banana in America and the world -- in both conventional and organic product categories. From its founding by James Drummond Dole, the company has built its reputation on a ceaseless commitment to quality. Today, the DOLE brand stands for more than 100 years of quality produce -- and the world's largest supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables, including bananas.



Dole strives to grow, produce, harvest, transport and distribute its bananas and other produce in the most environmentally and socially conscious way possible. Each year, Dole spends millions of dollars growing and shipping bananas using the most advanced techniques available.



About Dole Foods
Dole, with 2009 net revenues of $6.8 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, and is the leading producer of organic bananas. Dole markets a growing line of packaged and frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research. For more information, visit www.dole.com : .




Media Contacts:
Bob Ochsner
or Ginger Golembiewski
DGWB PR
(714) 881-2310