OK Produce has the ability to control the entire ripening process of our bananas. This process offers a unique service to our customers as it assures them of receiving bananas at every ripening stage at any time of the week and year. Here is a breakdown of this process. Upon arrival all bananas are inspected to determine their exact stage of maturity. At that point, we communicate with our sales staff to coordinate the quantity and ripeness our customers desire and when they want their bananas delivered. All bananas are preferably delivered to OK Produce as #1. If a customer orders a #3 color banana to be delivered, we must begin the gassing process. We use ethylene gas, a natural banana by-product, to ripen our bananas. Bananas go through a constant process of respiration. They take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide and ethylene. Ethylene, when administered correctly, will promote even ripening for large quantities of bananas.