New York, USA — Jamaican and other Caribbean athletes down to perform at this year’s Penn Relays in Pennsylvania, United States, have been assured that there will be no disruption in the availability of authentic Jamaican and Caribbean meals at the three-day event.

Caribbean Food Delights and its subsidiary Royal Caribbean Bakery, which have been providing the service for close on three decades, sought to respond to fears that the company would not be able to continue its culinary tradition this year because of an ongoing, US$17-million dollar expansion at its Tappan, New York, manufacturing plant. The work started last year and is said to be proceeding smoothly.

In a press statement, Chief Executive Officer Sabrina HoSang Jordan said the company would be covering the catering cost to Philadelphia area restaurants which have been sourced to prepare breakfast and dinner during the athletic showpiece set to start April 25.

The company will continue to provide lunch for the athletes from its array of baked products, including Jamaican patties and other items, with HoSang Jordan adding that “approximately 6,000 nutritious meals are expected to be served to athletes, coaches and other members of the Caribbean contingent”.

She said her company is extremely proud of the partnership with Team Jamaica Bickle, the non-profit body founded by Irwine Clare in assisting Jamaican and Caribbean athletes at the annual games.

In the meantime, Clare told the Jamaica Observer that the recent fund-raising effort by Team Jamaica Bickle, under the theme ‘Labour of Love’, went well despite some challenges which he did not specify. He also commended sponsors Sun Coast Beach Club Jamaica; Resort World Jamaica; Digicel; New York Life and Tower Isles Patties, for their role in helping to raise significant funds for the initiative.