‘EAT JAMAICAN’ ROAD SHOW IN PORT ANTONIO THIS FRIDAY

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11 APRIL 2011

‘EAT JAMAICAN’ ROAD SHOW IN PORT ANTONIO THIS FRIDAY

Kingston, Jamaica: The ‘Eat Jamaican’ Road Show makes its next stop in the Port Antonio Town Square this Friday April 15 at 3 pm, with the popular comedy duo Ity & Fancy Cat. Promoting its message "Grow what we eat - Eat what we grow", the national "Eat Jamaican" campaign aims at increasing local production and encouraging consumers to make healthy choices by eating local produce, fruits and vegetables.

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

“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,” commented Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton.  “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.”

The Opposition has also embraced the “Eat Jamaican” message and both Portland MPs, Darryl Vaz and Dr Donald Rhodd, will be on hand in Port Antonio to greet residents.

Visitors to the Portland 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 two weeks, Manchester and St Ann residents enjoyed the show at Bronx Taxi Park in Mandeville and Buckfield in Ocho Rios. The Best Dressed Chicken danced up a storm with Doctor Bird and residents enjoyed eating and recipe contests. Ity & Fancy Cat have proved themselves to be the perfect spokespersons for the competition, riveting their audience with their humour while strongly driving home the “Eat Jamaican” and “Plant up yuh backyard” messages.

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