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Farmers' Market: The answer to housewives' prayers

Published:Thursday | March 24, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Everton Campbell displays a large head of broccoli. He boasts that the best broccoli comes from Irish Town.
Clarence Campbell sorts some sweet peppers for a customer.
Wilton Lewis proudly displays a hand of plantains.
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Nashauna Drummond, Lifestyle Coordinator

Dasheen, yellow squash, eggplant, cabbage, scallion, sweet potato, sugar cane, plantain, red and green sweet peppers and the biggest scotch bonnet peppers ever, were just the tip of the iceberg at last week Friday's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries-endorsed Farmers' Market.

This new initiative by the minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, kept farmers busy and consumers happy last Friday in Liguanea. It was like a grand harvest, with farmers from Manchester, St Ann, St Andrew and St Elizabeth showcasing their best produce.

Clarence Campbell from St Ann was surrounded by red and green sweet peppers, with one weighing as much as eight ounces. He told Food that his vegetables are grown using the greenhouse method through a Rural Agriculture Development Agency (RADA) programme. Many customers who passed by his stand marvelled at the size of his peppers, which far outweighed those produced through open-field operations.

Bright yellow-fleshed pumpkins glistened in the midday sun, as customers shuffled by with bags full of fresh produce. Most were like children in a candy store as they marvelled at the quality and prices.

Family Affair

For Rose Rhoden, farming is a family affair. At 51, the St Elizabethian told Food she has been farming all her life. As she spoke, her son, cousin, and nephew were busy serving numerous customers who stopped by their stall. It was more like a one-stop shop, with every ground provision you could think of being available. Sweet potato, onion, melon, cantaloupe, turnip, pineapple, thyme, eggplant, plummy tomatoes, cucumber, and zucchini ... it was all there. This Southfield clan has been all over the island at the various farmers' markets. From Montego Bay to Mandeville, they have not missed any. "Is the best thing the Government ever do' she remarked, as she weighed produce for another satisfied customer.

The next Farmers' Market will take place on April 1, at the following locations:

Kingston: Ministry of Agriculture football field along Old Hope Road, St Andrew.

Manchester: The Rural Agriculture Development Agency (RADA) parish office.

St Catherine: Praise Plaza, Port Henderson Road.

St Mary: Trinity Banana Boxing Plant

St James: Rural Agriculture Development Agency (RADA) parish office.

Portland: Folly Ground