Hunger-Fighting CEO A-peels to Common Sense After Duct-Tape Banana Goes Viral

Published December 4, 2024

With the world facing record levels of extreme hunger, World Food Program USA asks everyday Americans to “not be like the banana billionaire.” 

Washington, D.C. (December 4, 2024) — On the heels of Giving Tuesday, World Food Program USA has launched a social media campaign that takes aim at the viral duct tape banana. On November 29, a cryptocurrency billionaire purchased a $6.2 million dollar piece of artwork that showcased a banana duct-taped to a wall. During a press conference where he announced his purchase, he then ate the banana in front of cameras. For many around the world, the viral moment did not sit well, including the President and CEO of World Food Program USA, Barron Segar. 

Said Segar, “When I heard about a billionaire buying and casually eating a $6.2 million dollar banana for attention, I was just stunned. I happened to be on my way to an event where everyday people would be giving their time and hard-earned money to help feed children and families on the other side of the world. A banana in the U.S. costs about 65 cents. A meal provided by the U.N. World Food Programme costs on average just 50 cents. When I think about how many meals the money for that one banana could have provided, how many lives it could have saved, I feel compelled to speak out.”  

In its social media posts, World Food Program USA shared that there are 343 million people around the world facing extreme hunger. With $6.2 million, the United Nations World Food Programme could have made any number of real impacts. For example: 

  • Deliver more than 12 million meals around the world 
  • Provide 25 million school meals to children 
  • Feed every food insecure Syrian refugee forced to flee their country 
  • Deliver 82K food boxes to families in crisis  

Segar added, “Every day I see generous donors and tireless humanitarians working together to fight hunger. I hope this holiday season we make their acts of kindness go viral instead of a wasteful stunt like this banana. Let’s not be like the banana billionaire.”  

No amount is too small to support a person who needs a meal. To act now, donate to World Food Program USA.  

# # # 

About the United Nations World Food Programme  
The U.N. World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. 

About World Food Program USA  
World Food Program USA, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, DC, proudly supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger. To learn more about World Food Program USA’s mission, please visit  wfpusa.org/mission-history. 

Media Contact:  
Abigail Seiler 
World Food Program USA 
aseiler@wfpusa.org