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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Banana Shock: America's Fruit No Longer Cheap

Americans eat as many bananas as apples and oranges combined. Given that bananas are grown far away and have a shelf life of just two weeks, it's astonishing that they've become a cheap staple. But that's a thing—both good and bad--that may be coming to an end. Gasoline is more than $4 a gallon.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

Americans eat as many bananas as apples and oranges combined. Given that bananas are grown far away and have a shelf life of just two weeks, it's astonishing that they've become a cheap staple. But that's a thing—both good and bad--that may be coming to an end. Gasoline is more than $4 a gallon. Bananas may soon rise to $1 a pound, according to an op-ed piece in this week's New York Times by Dan Koeppel, author of Banana: The Fate of the Fruit that Change the World.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • KCRW placeholder

    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

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    Karen Radziner

    Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?

  • KCRW placeholder

    Dan Konecky

    Producer, To the Point

  • KCRW placeholder

    Dan Koeppel

    author, 'Banana'

    NewsNationalPolitics
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