Produce giant Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. organized a flash mob of bananas in Chicago last week to kick off its 5th annual "Go Bananas!" Halloween promotion. 

More than 35 people in banana costumes performed a choreographed dance and handed out fruit and discount coupons to the surrounding spectators during the lunch hour on Sept. 15.

Del Monte hosts the "Go Bananas!" Halloween promotion to encourage healthy eating during the holiday period and promote its bananas as alternatives to traditional festive treats.

The promotion gives consumers the chance to win a Del Monte-branded banana costume to wear for their Halloween festivities. The contest randomly awards a banana costume to 1,000 consumers who enter online.

Fans who want to increase their chances of winning can obtain five additional entries by submitting a photo of themselves as a banana using the template provided on the website.

"We are thrilled to bring the Go Bananas Halloween promotion back for its 5^th year," Del Monte NA marketing vice president Dennis Christou said.

"Consumers of all ages love dressing up as bananas and it is a great way of promoting healthy Halloween treats. This year, we wanted to create even more excitement around our annual Halloween giveaway and loved the idea of a flash mob of bananas.

"After all, who wouldn’t stop to watch a bunch of bananas dancing in the middle of town?”

The four-week promotion ends on Sept. 30 in order to guarantee costume delivery in time for Halloween.

www.freshfruitportal.com