The Gore Family Foundation (GFF) has renamed its Basic Schools Nutrition Programme, an initiative which ensures children at Jamaica’s early childhood educational institutions receive the nourishment needed to thrive, in honour of late nutritionist Patricia Thompson.

Thompson, who passed away last year, was the founder and executive director of the Jamaica Island Nutrition Network (JINN). She pioneered the Basic Schools Nutrition Programme, partnering with GFF since 2015 to promote proper nutrition in 11 basic schools across Jamaica.

In recognition of Thompson’s remarkable contributions, Christine Gore, Executive Director of GFF, announced, “The Foundation is proud to honour Pat’s memory by officially naming this initiative The Patricia Thompson Basic Schools Nutrition Programme.”

She continued, “Pat’s legacy will live on in our schools as we continue to train and develop our cooks, ensuring the highest nutritional standards that set our students up for academic excellence.”
Thompson firmly believed that instilling healthy eating habits from the earliest stages of life leads to stronger physical development and improved educational outcomes, according to GFF in a press release.

A lifelong researcher, Thompson was a highly sought-after nutrition consultant, educator, and author, advocating for the use of locally available foods—not only for their superior taste but also for their nutritional value, the release stated.

It noted that Thompson’s commitment to evidence-based nutrition was unwavering as she passionately opposed the adoption of foreign nutritional guidelines that lacked relevance to the Jamaican and Caribbean context, ensuring that her work was rooted in research tailored to the region’s unique needs.

Through the Basic Schools Nutrition Programme, she provided hands-on training to school cooks, equipping them with skills in meal planning, food groups, portion control, hygiene, and safety. She also supported the Nutrition-Friendly Schools Competitions, where cooks were assessed and awarded for upholding high nutritional standards, GFF stated, adding that Thompson’s dedication has left an indelible mark on Jamaica’s early childhood nutrition landscape, ensuring that generations of children receive the nourishment they need to thrive.