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October 1973: Banana Action Day
In October 1973 the so-called banana women carried out an action that would become the beginning of years of commitment to more justice in the banana trade. Equipped with a specially written banana magazine and handcarts filled with bananas, they marched through the streets of Frauenfeld and prompted passersby to conversations and reflection with the following opening question: “Have you ever wondered why bananas are so cheap?”
Over time a group of seven women emerged who formed the core of the banana work and held regular meetings. They called themselves the "Swiss Banana Action". The aim was to raise consumers' awareness. In 1976 the banana women received the Shalom Prize of the Christian Peace Service for their work.
1974: first solidarity bananas
In 1974 the first retailer in St. Gallen sold bananas with a solidarity surcharge of 15 rappen. Subsequently, from 1974 to 1985, about 100 grocery stores in Switzerland sold Chiquita or Dole bananas with this solidarity contribution. A total of CHF 117,350 was collected.
From 1976: information trips
In order to provide truly credible and well-founded information work, Ursula Brunner undertook the first trip to Central America in 1976. Over the years she made countless further trips. Ursula Brunner followed the entire path of banana production and trade and met and discussed with countless people in the banana industry. The longer this went on, the more she became the "banana specialist." It was important to her to learn about the situation of the workers on the plantations, but also to maintain good contact with the producers and importers.