A major store on the Orkney Islands in Scotland has begun distributing massive quantities of bananas for free after an erroneous order reached approximately 38,000 fruits, nearly double the islands' population. According to BBC, the Tesco store in Kirkwall had intended to order 380 kilograms of bananas, but a technical error resulted in an order for 380 wholesale boxes, each containing around 100 bananas. The excess boxes, which arrived at the start of the week, were supposed to be returned to the mainland, but strong winds and subsequent ferry disruptions prevented this. A Tesco spokesperson stated that the store has already started distributing the boxes to community groups and schools across the area. The store's community liaison officer, Paula Clarke, issued a call on social media, to which children's groups, football clubs, and local organizations responded, coming to collect the boxes. Meanwhile, islanders suggested various ways to utilize the fruit before it spoiled, with some proposing to make banana cake and others preferring to peel, slice, and freeze the bananas. Teachers at local schools also commented that they had already gone to the store to get one or two boxes. Additionally, the store coordinated the shipment of bananas to Orkney's outer islands. It is worth noting that this is not the first time Orkney has experienced ordering errors in recent years. Two years ago, a small independent store on the island of Sanday, one of Orkney's northern isles, accidentally ordered 720 Easter eggs instead of the 80 the owner had planned to request. That error led to a fundraising campaign for charity, but the shorter shelf life of bananas this time requires quicker solutions.
