‘EAT JAMAICAN’ ROAD SHOW GOES TO CLARENDON THIS FRIDAY.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27 APRIL 2011

‘EAT JAMAICAN’ ROAD SHOW GOES TO CLARENDON THIS FRIDAY.

Kingston, Jamaica: The National ‘Eat Jamaican’ Campaign Road Show rolls into May Pen this Friday April 29 at 3 pm, with the popular comedy duo Ity & Fancy Cat. With the message "Grow what we eat - Eat what we grow", the campaign aims at increasing local food production and encouraging consumers to make healthy food choices by eating local produce, fruits and vegetables. The event will be held at the Bargain Village Plaza in May Pen Clarendon.

The campaign is a project of the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Championing the “Eat Jamaican” campaign is Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton. “Hunger and food insecurity are stomping all over countries of the world and our response must rise to the level of the challenges caused by this crisis,” He commented. “Population growth, changing diets, urbanization and unsustainable methods of farming and production are blamed for this current crisis. But whatever the reason, one thing is sure – our response to this global phenomenon has got to be local. It is imperative that we find a sustainable solution.

“As we take this concrete step to achieve food security in our country, we are extremely grateful that the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations have partnered with us in funding this campaign.”

Endorsing the “Eat Jamaican” campaign are His Worship the Mayor Milton Brown, Mayor of Clarendon and the Hon. Michael Henry, MP, Central Clarendon.

Visitors to the Clarendon show will enjoy displays and samples by Jamaica Broilers, Trade Winds, Wisynco and GraceKennedy, as well as giveaways from National Bakery and Island Grill. The campaign mascot “Doctor Bird” will be giving great tips on nutrition.

RADA (Rural Agricultural Development Agency) representatives will also be on hand to encourage Jamaicans to ‘Plant Up Yuh Backyard’, and will be distributing brochures with helpful tips for backyard gardening.

In the past three weeks, residents and visitors enjoyed the show at Bronx Taxi Park in Mandeville, Buckfield Playfield in Ocho Rios and Port Antonio Square Portland. This Friday, the campaign continues its fun packed promotion of eating locally produced foods at the Bargain Village Plaza in May Pen Clarendon.

The Eat Jamaican campaign has also been supporting the farmers’ markets throughout Jamaica, which have enjoyed significantly increase sales since the start of the project.

Six of Jamaica’s top Olympians have endorsed the campaign.  They are Melaine Walker, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Asafa Powell, Nesta Carter and Michael Frater. 

   
Contact:

Cecil Thoms

Director, Communication & Public Relations

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

T- 927-1872; E – cethoms@moa.gov.jm

Akhter Hamid

Project Manager

Tel: +1 876 978 2352

Mob: +1 876 322 7284

Email: akhter.hamid@fao.org

Staci Smith & Cleo Walker
PROComm
T 876-926-6740 | M 876-455-1166

M 876-375-9438