Jamaica Producers launches ‘Eat Well’ breakfast programme

Jamaica Producers (JP) has stepped up its islandwide effort to provide nutritious and affordable options for schools and enhancing nutrition education based on green bananas with the launch of its ‘Eat Well with JP St Mary’s’ breakfast programme.

The launch, held last week Thursday at Pembroke Hall Primary School, saw more than 230 students from grades four and five enjoy a hearty breakfast, courtesy of the Eat Well with JP St Mary’s initiative.

“This is the first in the series of the Eat Well with JP St Mary’s breakfast programme. And what it really is, is a support initiative for the JP St Mary’s Heritage Project,” said Tara Goulbourne, Commercial Manager – Jamaica, JP Tropical Foods Ltd.

The JP Group, in commemoration of its 90th anniversary, will supply locally grown green ­bananas to public educational institutions in a new national feeding programme. The bananas will be sold at only J$5 per pound and will be supported by the JP St Mary’s brand.

“We are going into 20 schools over the next three months. We will be taking over their breakfast programme for one day and showing them the benefits of eating green bananas by showcasing a variety of recipes,” Goulbourne said.

Chef Travis Hyman prepared JP St Mary’s original recipe for green banana porridge and frank and beans with boiled JP green bananas for the Pembroke Hall Primary students.

According to principal of Pembroke Hall Primary, Ricardo Valentine, the support from JP was timely and impactful.

“We really appreciate JP coming on board to support our breakfast programme. The truth is for a student to be productive they need to have proper nutrition, and so, JP coming here today and offering bananas at a heavily discounted rate for a year is indeed awesome,” Valentine said.

HEALTHIER STUDENTS

“In fact, that saving will allow us to feed even more of our children that cannot afford nor receive breakfast in the home. And so in the long run, when this is sustained, we are expecting to get better results, as we will have children eating healthier, and so they’ll be more productive academically,” he added.

Pembroke Hall Primary School currently has 1,100 students on a single-shift system and Valentine estimates that 37 to 40 per cent of the students benefit from the breakfast programme.

“It is vital to us that the children are fed. It’s a mandate of the Heritage Project. You have children, you give them the bags, pencils and books to help them learn at school; but if they aren’t properly nourished, they cannot sit in a class and learn. So it’s so important that we ensure our children get breakfast every morning before they begin school, so that they can focus. Our children are our future, they are valuable assets of our country and should be treated and care for as such,” Goulbourne said.

Even though they are limited in space, Pembroke Hall Primary has an active 4-H Club with a small farm and garden. So the children are actively engaged in some form of agriculture. However, Valentine is concerned that many do not know what they are eating and where it all begins.

“Through the 4-H Club, we have banana, melon and plantain trees, cucumber and pepper trees, and a few others. It is important that we get students to learn about the nutritious and natural foods available from the rich soil of our island. Once they know these crops and how they are grown, then they will be able to make better and healthier choices,” he said.