FAST, FIT SHELLY-ANN FOR EAT JAMAICAN!

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

10^th MAY 2011

FAST, FIT SHELLY-ANN FOR EAT JAMAICAN!

It’s all in the yam: Dr. Pamella Powell, Special Project Coordinator, JCDC, Dr. Jerome Thomas, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Jamaica, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Olympic Gold Medallist, Cassidee Beckford, FAO Project Assistant, and Dr. Mark Panton, Chief Technical Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries discuss the virtues of yams and other local produce which were on sale at the JCDC Regional Culinary Finals at the Chinese Benevolent Association in Kingston on Friday, May 6. The “Eat Jamaican” campaign co-hosted the event with the JCDC.

Kingston, Jamaica: Olympic Gold Medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce gave a hearty endorsement of the Eat Jamaican campaign at the JCDC Regional Culinary Finals on Friday May 6. The event was held at the Chinese Benevolent Association in Kingston.  

“I am very proud to be a part of such a great venture, to grow what we eat and eat what we grow,” said Fraser-Pryce. “I encourage all Jamaicans to get on board so we can reduce the amount of foreign produce stocked in our supermarkets and local markets,” she added.

Fraser-Pryce is one of six Olympic champions who have endorsed the "Eat Jamaican" campaign, aimed at increasing local food production and encouraging consumers to make healthy choices by eating local produce, fruits and vegetables. Track stars Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Melaine Walker, Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Nesta Carter also gave their resounding endorsement at the launch of the campaign at the Coronation Market on March 1.

The "Eat Jamaican" campaign mascot Doctor Bird was present encouraging the audience to participate in the campaign and posing for pictures with the children.

A major highlight of the JCDC event was the "Eat Jamaican" Sing-Off and Recipe Competition. Participants from the Eastern Region competed in the "Eat Jamaican" Sing-Off by performing songs about Jamaican foods before a panel of two judges. Excelsior High School took first place earning a plaque and $5,000. Boy’s Town VTC copped second place, walking away with a gift basket courtesy of National Bakery and $3,000 and Jonathan Grant High School placed third, winning a gift basket courtesy of National Bakery and $2,000.

The very exciting "Eat Jamaican" Recipe Competition was well received. Participating chefs were asked to create an original Jamaican recipe using local produce. The winning chef Diana Blake of St. Thomas, wowed the judges with her sorrel and orange cheese. She was awarded a plaque and $10,000. A gift basket, courtesy of National Bakery, and $5,000 went to second place winner Abigail Richards of Kingston for her plantain cinnamon cheesecake. Another gift basket, courtesy of National Bakery, and $3,000 were awarded to third place winner Andrew Blake of Kingston for his beet and carrot cake. 

The next exciting “Eat Jamaican” Sing-off and Recipe Competitions will be at the JCDC Western Region Culinary Finals in Savanna-La-Mar on Friday, May 27.

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

   

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