Certainly, that red tip is an attention grabber, but there’s much more to the story of these Aussie bananas.

The bright wax covering indicates they’re ‘Ecoganic’ – a certification scheme developed by Far North Queensland farmers Frank and Dianne Sciacca that declares the bananas are farmed without chemical pesticides that can impact soil biology or the ecosystem.

On farms using the Ecoganics methodology, nature and its creatures are instead encouraged to flourish, creating a balanced ecosystem where disease and pests are naturally controlled with minimal intervention.

And it’s in that environment that something fascinating happens, Frank says. “When nature is guided to find its own balance, the result is a banana with better taste and shelf life, more density of flavour and, more importantly, creating a farm that can be commercially viable alongside true sustainable farming.”

But don’t simply take Frank’s word for it. Hundreds of customers have also attested to the superior nature of these ‘eco-bananas’, regularly posting rave reviews, says wife Dianne, Chief Marketing Officer for Ecoganics. “People say, ‘These taste like bananas used to taste, and they last longer’.”

Growing bigger and better

While the Sciaccas’ business has been many years in the making, its success has been meteoric in recent times – particularly in the wake of the pandemic.

It was during this period, Dianne explains, that consumers actively began seeking out healthier, more natural foods. “People started to realise how much their health was worth.”

It’s not just customers that have come on board. The Sciaccas recruited four more farms to increase supply of their Ecoganic produce. They’ve begun working with other farmers around Australia to achieve Ecoganic certification for produce ranging from avocados, almonds and papayas to pears and apples.

“Growers are reaching out to us,” Frank says. “They’re the ones saying they can see the benefits of this, and they’re starting to understand the meaning of the environmental health of their farms.”

Meanwhile, the Sciaccas’ trademark red tip bananas are already penetrating international markets. They have been exported to Singapore and Hong Kong for many years and, more recently, the Sciaccas made a concerted push into Japan, recruiting a specialist dedicated to building a local supply chain for Ecoganic produce.

A success story built on patience

The system the Sciaccas devised on their family farm in Boogan, south of Innisfail, is an example of groundbreaking agricultural innovation – but not in a way you might expect.

Where innovation frequently harnesses technology and develops at speed, the story of Frank’s ‘eco-bananas’ has unfolded over 25 years and was overwhelmingly driven by his ardent belief in the wonders of nature.

“I grew up on a farm beside a river and I was very fortunate that every day I was outside and involved with nature,” Frank explains. “When you grow up with that, it becomes a very big part of who you are.”

When the Sciaccas went into farming, Frank studied what was viewed as industry best practice and wasn’t convinced. “It made me think, ‘I’m using these chemicals; I’m sure this isn’t how nature intended it’.”

Frank initially investigated organic farming methods but the use of organic pesticides also didn’t sit well with him.

The only solution that held true to Frank’s lifelong love of the land, and all the creatures inhabiting it, was to allow nature to take its own course.

“Every element we have out there – from ants, butterflies, insects, microbes, fungi and bacteria – they all live together and support each other,” Frank says. “That’s what nature created to keep our environment and this whole earth healthy. There comes a point where we have to respect it and look after it.”

Supporting strong growth

Certainly, the Sciaccas’ success has come down to a clear vision and considerable patience. But it’s also been about a rock-solid partnership. Behind their growth has been the steadfast support of their bank, NAB – continuing a business relationship that has extended across generations of the Sciacca family for “70 years or maybe more”, Frank says.

According to Dianne, NAB’s support for Frank’s patient, low-tech approach to farming has been unflinching. “We’ve always had very supportive bank managers,” she says.

And it’s this support that’s been essential in allowing the Sciaccas to think big as new opportunities beckon – which they have. In fact, with more Australian farmers achieving Ecoganic certification, don’t be surprised to see those distinctive red tips popping up in even more places.