Dole Hosts World's Largest Banana Gathering

Thousands of banana lovers gathered in Latrobe, Pa., on National Banana Split Day for the world’s largest banana gathering and banana split bar. The free public party capped a weekend-long celebration by the City of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College and Dole Fresh Fruit honoring the designation of Latrobe as the official birthplace of the iconic, triple-scoop sundae. The first-ever Great American Banana Split Celebration kicked-off Aug. 23 and featured ceremonies, tastings, run/walks, parties and dances in and around Latrobe. Dole provided thousands of DOLE Bananas and recipes for banana-themed salads, entrees, cocktails and traditional and healthier banana splits made with Greek yogurt, sorbet, honey, pomegranates and fresh berries. “DOLE is America’s favorite banana – so it makes perfect sense for us to honor America’s favorite dessert and the now-official city where it was created,” says Bil Goldfield, Dole’s director of corporate communications. “Of course, this being Dole, one of our goals is to introduce healthier versions of the famously decadent sundae with less calories and fat.  We’re out to show that it is possible to eat smart and still enjoy your banana split, too.” Consistent with the nutritional mission of Dole, both traditional and healthier banana splits, made with less calories and fat, were served at the celebration which attracted more than 2,000 Saint Vincent College students, local Latrobe residents and out-of-area visitors.