CHARLOTTE, NC - In a move that would make Carrie Bradshaw herself swoon, Dole has officially recognized Greenwich Village bakery made famous by HBO’s Sex and the City, Magnolia Bakery, as a banana icon, the sixth honoree so far this year. Another fabulous move made by the company as it continues to celebrate its 125^th Banana-Versary.

“Dole’s Banana Hall of Fame recognizes those banana-centric icons—from people and places, banana dishes, drinks, and desserts to bananas in film, TV, music, and popular culture—that have memorably contributed to the popularity and broad appeal of bananas,” said William Goldfield, Communications Director, Dole. “From the minute we hinted at adding a Hall of Fame to our company-wide celebration of 125 years in the banana business, fans have insisted we consider Magnolia Bakery’s beloved Banana Pudding—which helped make today’s induction a reality.”

According to a press release, the announcement by Dole coincided with the kick-off of Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding Week, an annual celebration honoring the bakery’s best-selling dessert.

The original Greenwich Village bakery opened in 1996 and has since grown into a global entity. Sara Gramling, Vice President of Public Relations and Partnerships for Magnolia Bakery, noted that 275 tons of bananas are used to make more than 2.2 million cups of Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding. This is enough to circle the Earth 55 times!

“Given the importance of bananas to the Magnolia Bakery menu, we’re absolutely delighted to be receiving this honor,” responded Bobbie Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Baking Officer, Magnolia Bakery. “And while I admit that it’s been challenging to keep Magnolia Bakery’s involvement in the Dole Banana Hall of Fame a secret until now, it’s only fitting that we reveal this ripest of alliances on the first day of Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding Week celebration.”

Other inductees into the Dole Banana Hall of Fame include Brennan’s, the New Orleans French Quarter restaurant that created the Bananas Foster dessert; the City of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, birthplace of the Banana Split; Bobby Banana, the 7-foot banana ambassador and mascot of Dole Food Company; and Pinky’s Westside Grill and Batch House, two banana-centric restaurants in Dole’s hometown city of Charlotte, North Carolina.

A stylish tip of the cap to Magnolia Bakery!

And as Dole continues to induct companies ripe for the honor, ANUK will be here to report.