Issue: 'Eat Jamaican' an excellent idea
Published:Saturday | March 5, 2011 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
At the risk of repeating the wise and informative editorials and feature articles recently published in the local newspapers, I would like to add my endorsement to the Ministry of Agriculture's 'Eat Jamaican' campaign.
The abundance of healthy food that we produce on our island is something I think most Jamaicans take for granted. From citrus to strawberries, and from coffee to cassava, we have more variety than I have space to list. As for the taste factor, I believe it is safe to say that we are head and shoulders above most other countries producing similar products.
Scientific research
To add to these attributes, more and more scientific research is proving that there are myriad health benefits to be gleaned from eating the very fruit and vegetables that we grow here. Our soil is fertile, our weather conducive to year-round crops and our people seem to have an innate ability to grow something from anything and in any condition! We are indeed blessed!
What is even more commendable is that the initiative is being supported and publicly endorsed by the opposition spokesperson on agriculture - who could easily have followed the usual way of our politicians when 'out of power' and found some reason to decry the effort and destabilise the programme. Now, that speaks volumes!
The fact that they have established the farmers' markets across the country also speaks to the seriousness and commitment of the ministry towards this effort. By doing this, the Government is not just telling us what we SHOULD do, but facilitating the ability for us TO DO! Well done!
As clearly pointed out by the media, this movement is not just prudent from a health and economic perspective, but it's absolutely imperative for our future survival as food prices worldwide continue to spiral upwards. We, as a nation, must stand behind this drive! We owe it to ourselves, our children and each other! May the Lord continue to bless our nation with the all the requirements to grow our own food, and the wisdom to eat it!
I am, etc.,
PAULA KERR-JARRETT