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OUR STORY

Read about the history of

The Jordan Banana Company

Jordan Banana History

We are Proud to be part of the 3% of family business beating the odds. Jordan Banana is a fourth-generation company started in 1890 by Annie McGillivry-Giordano, and her husband Rafael and his Brother’s Thomas, Fraley, and Anthony Giordano. Annie and the Giordano Brothers started the business with a pushcart, selling bananas and other fruits and vegetables in the then-bustling streets of Mckeesport. At some point, they decided to become banana specialists, buying and processing bananas. Selling bananas is a lot different than selling other types of fruits and vegetables. Special skills are involved in the banana ripening process. Some would consider the ripening process an art.

Back when Our Family first started in the Banana Business, Bananas were picked “dead” green in Central America and shipped hanging from hooks in un-cut full stalks by steamboat then by train and trucked to their destination. When the bananas arrive they need to be in a temperature-controlled ripening room. This was a difficult task without the technology of today. The first Banana Room the Giordano’s used was an underground room in the basement of 418-20 Huey Street in the heart of downtown Mckeesport, Pennsylvania. The room had only a very small opening in the ceiling where the banana stalks were handed down through, and depending upon the season, blocks of ice or oil heaters were used to adjust the temperature. Learning this Art enabled the Giordano’s to not only supply their storefront with quality bananas but, it also enabled them to become a supplier to the multitude of “Mom and Pop” Grocery Stores of that time. They labeled their product and business Mckeesport Bananas.

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At some point, The Giordano’s made the decision to Americanize their name and Mckeesport Banana became Jordan Banana. Not so long after it was time to pass the baton. The business and the Art of banana processing was passed down to Annie’s eldest son, Anthony C. Jordan, nicknamed by his younger siblings, “Brother”. Brother would eventually, with the help

of his two younger brothers, Donald and Frederick expand the operations into two facilities. Jordan Banana in the “Strip District”of Pittsburgh and Jordan Banana on O’neil Blvd in Mckeesport.

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