‘Just add water’
The process of making potato pudding in Jamaica usually involves peeling and grating the tubers, a process which is particularly tedious for those with a busy schedule. Those unable to spare the time often bypass this process, resorting to purchasing a slice of the delicious dessert from the many locations which provide the tasty pastry. However, many still wished they could make their own pudding and the Jeffrey Town Farmers Association in St Mary is making this possible. The community group, which has been manufacturing a number of products, now has a potato pudding mix among the products it offers. All that is required is for water to be added to the mix.
With its captivating product line, it was no surprise that the Jeffrey Town Farmers Association booth at the St Mary Creative Arts and Skills Festival, held in the parish earlier this month, generated much attention. Some of the other products produced by the group are the banana porridge mix, breadfruit festival mix, breadfruit pancake mix, and the breadfruit porridge mix.
Members of the group told the Jamaica Observer North East that the porridge mixes are a dominant part of the menu in the Jeffrey Town Primary and Infant schools’ breakfast feeding programmes.
The group, which is over 20 years old, is supported by the Social Development Commission’s (SDC) Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP) in the parish. As a result, they were among many such groups from the parish which displayed their products at the festival hosted by the entity.
A large number of community group products, along with individual talents and skills were showcased at the festival. Among those displaying their craft were groups from the neighbouring parishes of St Ann, Portland and even Trelawny. Also popular among the participants was Damion Martin, who displayed skilfully crafted art pieces designed using matchsticks. Martin was among many who were grateful for the opportunity to showcase their talent.
“I do this at home and so I don’t get much attention,” said Martin who is from Moneague, St Ann.
The wrestling group from Scott’s Hall, Caribbean Wrestling Entertainment, was also a hit with the crowd. The wrestlers provided entertainment for those attending the festival.
The recent festival was dubbed a success with one organiser expressing confidence that it will eventually become one of the biggest activities in the parish.
Research Coordinator for Portland Nikima Leslie said the day was a successful one, as the participants not only had items on display, but also for sale. These items, she said, were properly packaged with approval from the Scientific Research Council as people displayed their entrepreneurial skills in creating wealth.
“This will be a signature event in St Mary,” Parish Manager of the St Mary SDC, Travis Graham, said during a press conference prior to the event.
The festival which was held under the theme ‘Make Your Talent Your Business’, was aimed at reducing the high level of unemployment in the parish and to assist residents in establishing their own businesses. The festival was paired with St Mary Research Day. The day’s activities included workshops, demonstrations and research presentations, including possible solutions to economic woes in rural communities so that they can become viable. The research looked at data mapping of communities with their profiles, including population, education, unemployment, poverty distribution, and challenges, with the possible solutions for youth and support in the use of indigenous material for ecotourism projects.
The HEART Trust/NTA, Jamaica Public Service and the National Water Commission also had booths at the festival.
There were also several competitions on the day, including make-up application and competitions in barbering and hairstyling.