Waitrose is bolstering its support for suppliers globally of its most popular product, bananas.

Banana farming communities are to join its Foundation, which works to improve the livelihoods of workers and support sustainable supply chains globally.

This will see over 2p of every £1 spent on bananas going to suppliers, which is above the Fairtrade Minimum Price and Fairtrade Premium.

“The projects which will benefit the local communities include climate change adaptation, enhancing food and water security and improving soil fertility,” said the supermarket.

“We’re proud to announce this new partnership with Fairtrade, which coincides with the recent celebration of our Waitrose Foundation’s 20th anniversary and over £25m generated to date,” said Charlotte Di Cello, Waitrose chief commercial officer and chair of Waitrose Foundation Global Board.

“This partnership will continue our strong relationship with Fairtrade, helping support our global farms and their communities.”

Fairtrade Foundation partnerships director Kerrina Thorogood said: “At Fairtrade, we are proud of our longstanding partnership with Waitrose and are pleased to strengthen this further via the Waitrose Foundation and our shared commitment to banana farmers and workers.

“Growing the world’s most popular fruit, banana farmers and workers play a vital role in ensuring food security and wellbeing for millions of families worldwide.

"Yet they face mounting challenges – from rising production costs and climate change to pests, diseases, biodiversity loss, and inadequate infrastructure – all of which threaten their livelihoods.”

She added that Waitrose Foundation in banana farming communities “will help to further strengthen the resilience and long-term viability of smallholder banana farmers and plantation workers”.

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