TODAY'S TURN: Yes, have a banana.

THE ISSUE:
Bananas aren't funny anymore. Can't enjoy a monkey or well-timed sight gag now without remembering reports of wrecked rain forests, intimidated workers and corporate corruption on a multinational level.

For years, huge banana companies have been accused of worker and environment exploitation, with reports pouring out of Costa Rican, Ecuadorian and Panamanian plantations. Everything from burning piles of plastic bags full of toxic waste to hiring thugs to intimidate and even knock off pesky union sympathizers.

Honestly, the issue is WAY too big for me to make a call. Especially based on third- and fourth-hand information that comes from corporate mouthpieces on one hand and sometimes-overzealous activists on the other. Which is the true Chiquita? The one that joined forces with something called the Rainforest Alliance to clean up its act? Or the one fined $25 million earlier this year for hiring a terrorist organization to provide security?

This sucks. I want to feel good again about the ultimate feel-good fruit.

THE GOOD TURN:
Not too long ago, a boycott of Dole, Chiquita and Del Monte would be the typical response. But I'm not really into boycotts (I believe more can be done through positive action than negative threats that rarely cause more than a PR problem) and now there are more fair trade options and access to smaller producers.

Here's what I do know: I can't unionize Costa Rican workers. I can't bring down Honduran presidents bribed with loads of cash. I can't tell a nation that the biggest chunk of their economy must leave the country - for their own good.

I'd rather focus on the positive action we CAN take and feel comfortable with.

Oke USA is the first fair trade banana company in the U.S. Their main source of bananas comes from cooperatives in Ecuador and Costa Rica, where the farmers not only control their own land, but are part owners in the company. Right now, their biggest distribution is in New England, but have inroads in Minnesota and are working to branch out to the West Coast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Click here to do this Good Turn.