Banana Events

1954 Castle & Cooke Enters the Banana Business
Castle & Cooke purchases 55% interest in Standard Fruit & Steamship Company, New Orleans, entering the banana business.
1968 Castle & Cooke Gains Full Ownership of Standard Fruit
Castle & Cooke acquires 100% of Standard Fruit, the second largest producer and importer of bananas.
1973 Castle & Cooke Becomes Leader in North American Banana Market
Castle & Cooke develop two large banana plantations on the coasts of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Castle & Cooke banana operations become the leader in the North American market.
1986 Dole Unveils Redesigned Logo
The DOLE logo is redesigned. The bright yellow sunburst is chosen as research shows it signifies freshness, quality, wholesomeness and good tasting products. The DOLE brand enjoys 98% wor...
1991 Dole Launches 5 A Day Program to Encourage Healthy Eating
Dole launches Dole 5 A Day Program to encourage young children and their families to eat five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
1995 Dole's Market Exceeds 90 Countries with a Line of Over 170 Food Products
Dole's global reach extends to more than 90 countries with a product line of over 170 fresh and packaged food products. The DOLE brand continues to stand for high quality, healthful, good...
1998 Dole's banana operations first to be certified to the environmental management system requirements
In July of 1998, Dole's banana operations in Costa Rica become the first banana exporter and the first agricultural producer in the world to become certified to the environmental manageme...