Last week we interviewed legendary "Top Banana" Ken Bannister on how a roll of Chiquita stickers started what's become a lifetime passion, not to mention an International Banana Club boasting global membership and wholesome, healthy fun. By passing out Chiquita stickers at trade shows, Ken Bannister earned a reputation for loving bananas, and other banana fans responded by sending him banana-related items in exchange for "Banana Merits," the official score-keeping system of the International Banana Club.
What Can You Get for an Old Banana? Banana Merits, of Course
The next banana gift that Ken received was from an audacious young lady attending a lecture that he was giving for the Professional Photographers Association. She stood up in front of the crowd and asked, “how many B.M.s do I get for a petrified banana that I found in my closet?" Ken’s answer? “100 B.M.s and a Master of Bananistry Degree, if you mount it and have it framed!” The young woman obliged, Ken followed through with his promise, and he even distributed inscribed custom medals for those who earned Masters of Bananistry. Not bad for an old banana, don’t you think?
What Do You Get for Joining the International Banana Club?
Besides an excellent conversation-starter, Banana Club members receive an official ID and club title. Today, there are over 36,000 card-carrying International Banana Club members in over 27 countries, so keep an eye out for this distinctive ID card no matter where you are.
Special things have happened as a result of carrying a Banana Club Card. Discounts, favors, upgrades and even pardons for traffic infractions have been reported by card-carrying members, and just like the Chiquita stickers that got this whole thing started, the key is in sparking an unexpected smile. “It’s funny how this works,” Ken says, explaining how he got upgraded at a hotel by showing his club card. “I asked in a nice way, I laughed, and they went for it!”
Choose Your Own Title
Like any proper club, Ken decided that members should have officially titled positions like City Hand Director (a bunch of bananas is called a “hand.”), Finger Director (you guessed it: a single banana is called a “finger”), and even State Hand Director. These are just examples; members of the International Banana Club can give themselves whatever title their banana-loving hearts desire.
The International Banana Club is about more than a card: it’s a philosophy.
“I have always encouraged people to eat one banana a day, to be enthusiastic, positive, upbeat and smile more often,” says Ken. The International Banana Club, built on wholesome fun and the appreciation of, in Ken’s words, “the bright, yellow, elongated edible fruit from a herbaceous plant comes in the shape of a smile if you hold it properly,” is still alive and well. The card and lifetime membership is available for $10: you can find out more about joining the International Banana Club here.
Next, we'll tell you how Ken's passion for bananas turned into a Guinness World Record when we talk with him about the International Banana Museum. Stay tuned!
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