A Golden Milestone: 125 Years of Pineapples

Dole’s 125^th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary

What began in 1901 as one young entrepreneur’s bold idea has grown into a global legacy rooted in hospitality, innovation, and a love for one of the world’s most iconic fruits.

From fresh-cut slices on kitchen tables to beach vacations and backyard grills, pineapple has become a symbol of welcome, warmth, and shared joy. And for 125 years, Dole has helped make that possible by bringing pineapples from the fields to families across the United States and around the globe.

Throughout 2026, Dole proudly celebrates 125 years of growing and sharing pineapples with the world. This anniversary is both a celebration of where we began and a look ahead to the future we’re continuing to build together.

A Vision: From Hawaii to the World

James Drummond Dole, then just 24 years old, planted his first pineapples in Wahiawa, Hawaii in 1901, founding what would become the company that bore his name, DOLE. At a time when fresh pineapple was rare, expensive, and difficult to transport, Dole believed the fruit belonged far beyond the islands where it grew.

Through innovation in farming, canning, refrigeration, and transportation, Dole helped transform pineapple from a luxury item enjoyed by royalty into an everyday fruit enjoyed by families everywhere. Along the way, pineapple became known as the “king of fruits,” admired for its crown-like appearance, golden sweetness, and long-standing association with hospitality and abundance.

That original vision still guides Dole today.

125 Years and Still Growing Forward

For centuries, pineapples have symbolized generosity and hospitality. In Europe from the 15th to the 17th century, they were displayed at banquets and gatherings as a sign of wealth, influence, and welcome. Today, pineapple continues to carry that meaning, no matter where it’s enjoyed.

Dole’s 125-year pineapple legacy is woven into moments both big and small: family meals, special moments, vacations, and traditions passed down through generations. It is a story of discovery, enjoyment and agriculture, shared by farmers, employees, partners, and pineapple fans around the world.

Innovation has always been at the heart of Dole’s pineapple story. From early advances in cultivation and preservation to modern breakthroughs in conventional breeding and sustainable farming, Dole continues to push the pineapple category forward. Over the decades we have shared pineapple in many varieties (Tropical Gold®, Organic, Golden Selection®), forms (whole, fresh-cut, juiced and Dole Whip® and usages (Upside-Down Cake, Grilled Hawaiian Chicken, salsas and smoothies).

Most recently, Dole introduced DOLE® Colada Royale™, a groundbreaking pineapple variety traditionally bred (non-GMO) at Dole’s oldest pineapple farm in Honduras. With subtle notes of coconut, Colada Royale represents the next chapter in pineapple innovation, combining exceptional flavor with responsible farming practices. Recognized as a 2026 Best New Product for Fresh Fruit by BrandSpark International in association with Newsweek, Colada Royale reflects Dole’s ongoing commitment to delighting consumers while advancing agriculture for the future.

As we observe this milestone, we recognize all the moments of our past, the challenges and the triumphs, and the millions of connections made through pineapple over more than a century.

Growing More Than Fruit

As the global pineapple industry has grown, so too has Dole’s responsibility to lead with purpose. Since 1901, Dole has invested in communities where pineapples are grown, supporting infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for workers and their families.

Through The Dole Way, Dole’s global sustainability initiative, the company focuses on three pillared priorities: People, Nature, and Food. These efforts include responsible water management, climate action, waste reduction, employee social equity, and improving access to nutrition worldwide.

In Honduras, Dole recently announced that a portion of every case of DOLE® Colada Royale™ Pineapples sold will support the creation of a new community center, for pineapple farm workers, their families and neighbors in La Ceiba. Managed by workers themselves, the center will provide healthcare services, language classes, and vocational training.

Because growing pineapple means growing opportunity.

Join the Pineapple Party

All this year, Dole is marking its 125th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary by bringing people together through partnerships, special events, product donations, and year-long social media activities. The celebration will unfold across the U.S. and beyond with fun pineapple moments, community events, gifting opportunities, partner activations, and appearances by Pinellopy Pineapple, all designed to honor pineapple’s enduring role as a symbol of hospitality and welcome.

A centerpiece of the anniversary will be Dole’s largest-ever celebration of International Pineapple Day on June 27, and the week leading into it, where we will be extending the spirit of hospitality beyond the table and into local communities.

Online, the celebration will continue all year long with a series of fun, actionable pineapple tips, trivia, stories, and engagements shared across Dole’s Facebook, Instagram and TikTok pages. Fans are also invited to join the conversation by sharing their own pineapple memories and moments using #DolePineapples, #DolePineapples125, and #Fresh4Future, helping to bring the global pineapple community together in one shared celebration.

At retail, Dole will mark the milestone with commemorative Dole 125th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary tags on millions of DOLE® Pineapples in the U.S. and Canada later this year, supported by dedicated in-store  and point-of-purchase signage designed to invite shoppers to celebrate along with us.

From Hawaii to Honduras, from kitchens to communities, the celebration will be a crowning achievement.