A supermarket in Orkney — an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland — has been giving away bananas after accidentally ordering an estimated 38,000 of them — almost double the entire population of the islands. Tesco supermarket had intended to order 380kg (750 lbs) of the fruit, but a slip-up meant they ordered 380 wholesale boxes, each containing about 100 bananas. The surplus boxes, which arrived over the weekend, would normally have been returned to the mainland, but high winds and subsequent ferry disruption meant that wasn't possible. Tesco has now been giving the boxes away to community groups and schools across the area. The supermarket chain posted a message on social media about the banana giveaway, and it wasn’t long before commenters were suggesting different ways for people to use the bananas before they go bad. Some proposed baking banana bread, while others considered peeling, chopping and freezing the fruit. This isn’t the first time there’s been an order blunder in Orkney. Two years ago, a small independent shop inadvertently ordered 720 Easter eggs, rather than the 80 the owner wanted. That led to a fundraising campaign; but with a shorter shelf life, the banana glut will require a faster solution.
