Just over a year ago, Ewerman through their Daily Greens organic bananas brand, initiated a collaboration with Operation Smile Sweden. Each organic banana sold in 2021 generated a contribution to surgeries for babies born with lip-jaw cleft palate. The first year's collaboration resulted in an incredible SEK 1.2 million (about $124 600), which contributed to surgeries for 500 children across the world.
According to Magnus Nilsson, from Ewerman, all the Greenfood group companies, suppliers as well as retail customers across Sweden participated in the project. “We are so happy and proud and we have had so much feedback from employees, growers, exporters, other retailers as well as from the competitors that really like the bigger cause than just selling bananas. All of the Greenfood companies Ewerman, Trädgårdshallen and Lundgrens Primörer were involved. Citygross, Martin & Servera, Grönsakshallen Sorunda, Svensk Cater and lots of local wholesalers and supermarkets around Sweden were involved in the campaign,” says an excited Nilsson.
Many children in Ecuador, as the world largest supplier of bananas, received the life changing operations.
“Operation Smile has a base for surgeries in Ecuador, where we try concentrate and help as many of the locals as possible. But of course, we also help children in other countries, where help is needed. Keep in mind that every child gets a totally new life due to our customer’s decisions of support,” explains Nilsson.
On average, Swedes eat about 100 bananas each year. For more than a year, there have also been bananas that are beneficial in more ways than purely nutritionally. To make a difference, Ewerman through the Daily Greens decided that each container of bananas imported should generate a contribution to Operation Smile.
Annika Billing, Secretary General of Operation Smile Sweden said: "Our operations are completely dependent on our volunteers, donors and partners. The money we receive through the partnership with the Daily Greens helps us to give children and young people the 1 hour surgery they need to live a normal life. Imagine what a difference a banana can make."
“Our customers have actively supported this campaign from the start and they still are. Mathem and Fruktbudet also joined the campaign for 2022. Yes, we will continue. We will try to improve the result this year, but we are a little bit restrained to increase more this year as we already ripen to our maximum capacity. But, we are building a new state-of-the-art facility with the capacity to increase the volumes for the coming year and for decades to come,” concludes Nilsson.
