I have always been curious about how supermarkets evolved into the super stores that they are today. I went online and did some research, and this is what I discovered. Back in the olden days, there was no such thing as self-service at the corner store. You asked for what you wanted, and did not touch the actual product until it was paid for. The shopping experience was laborious, the service was slow and quite unlike the market where you could pick and choose your own goods.

The concept of supermarkets began in the year 1916 in the United States of America when Clarence Saunders and his Piggly Wiggly store in Memphis, Tennessee, became the first place you could actually serve yourself. In those days, many people shopped in their local markets or at corner shops, so coming to a place where shoppers could help themselves was extremely visionary at the time. This trend spread to other states, Canada, and eventually around the globe. On April 29, 1954, Jamaicans experienced their first taste of this novel shopping experience at Hi Lo Cross Roads.

Jamaica boasts many fine supermarket chains such as Hi Lo, Super Plus and Progressive Grocers across the island. Each of us has our own favourite due to the products they carry, the location or the staff. Some people have even met their future loves or good friends in the supermarket after comparing prices! I often bump into people I know at my local supermarket, Loshusan in Barbican, so I quite look forward to going, hoping to see a familiar face.

Supermarkets carry practically everything you could want for the basic essentials of life. From food products to pharmaceuticals, magazines to mangoes, there is something for everyone. To some degree, it has hurt the role of traditional markets worldwide, but in bigger countries, you are now seeing the renaissance of farmers markets for those who want to get back to a more organic lifestyle.

Supermarkets continually evolve with their customers, keeping up with the trends, and they carry an edge in that they are in most neighbourhoods, hygienic and convenient in our fast-paced world. Here on our island, many supermarkets support our local farmers as well as import from overseas. The Jamaican consumer is blessed with choice compared to some other developing nations I have travelled to.

I love going supermarket shopping. It is one of the few times I can truly relax and lose myself in the dizzying array of choices aisle by aisle. Believe you me, if time is not restricting me, I walk through each and every one, picking up the familiar packets, cans and jars, or reading the label of something I have never seen before and would like to try.

I prefer to go by myself because if I go with company I know I can get on their last nerve with my anal scrutiny of each and every product. I like to eat fresh, so it is not uncommon for me to make several supermarket trips per week. Now and then, I do a large buy of all the basics such as rice, flour, sugar, etcetera, and only buy fruit and vegetables when I am going to use them immediately.

In the past, nothing irked me more than rotten or stale produce that had been lying around in my fridge forever, so I taught myself to change my habits. I now buy a little at a time, that is, only what I am consuming for a particular moment. Wasting food is a sin, when there are so many hungry people around.

Sometimes, if I am hosting a dinner with a theme, it is a challenge to find all of the ingredients I would like in one place. If I cannot find something, I make a request for it to be made available if the supermarket can arrange it. If not, I rearrange my plans around what is on offer. I am trying to tone down and keep things simple rather than elaborate. Keep this in mind, because cooking fresh foods in season is healthier and cheaper.

Supermarkets are an essential part of our lives, therefore, it is crucial to develop a good relationship with the people who work in your local supermarket. I have great relationships with the young men of Loshusan and Sovereign supermarkets, which are my local places to shop. If I am looking for a particular item, they will go and check for me if it is in stock, or they will let me know when the next fresh batch is coming.

Today, I will allow you to take a peek into my trolley and pay homage to my supermarket friends. I would like to make special mention of Horace at Sovereign, also known as Johnny, who was my first ever supermarket friend. I have so much respect for him, and wish every worker in Jamaica had his positive attitude. He always bends over backwards for me, and he has saved my neck on many an occasion. Rohan, Ronaldo and Damian are my special friends at Loshusan, and always give me great service with a smile.

Thank you to the management and staff at Loshusan supermarket who allowed me to bring along a photographer while I made my merry way around their aisles indulging in one of my most pleasurable activities.

My Personal Shopping Tips:

Write a list, as this helps you not to forget something important and keeps you within your budget. Divide it into categories such as fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, juices, snacks, cereals, cleaning products and miscellaneous.

Do not go hungry, as you will be tempted to buy products on impulse which you don’t actually need.

Read your labels. I will always be a strong proponent of this message. I do not mind sounding like a parrot if that is what it takes to make us eat healthier. Let it be your mantra. Bon Appétit!

Editor’s Note: Chang’s Emporium lays claim to being Jamaica’s first supermarket.

Jacqui Sinclair is a Cordon Bleu-trained chef/food stylist & hotelier. She has worked in the world of food photography and film in Europe. A bon vivant, she is passionate about sharing her food secrets with enthusiastic home cooks.