Countdown to the 27th Staging of the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards

A history of the company

Nations Choice Limited was incorporated in April 2011 and began operations in August of the same year. The company was founded by Donald McDonald and Oral Dacosta, who came together after the company they previously worked for closed its doors. Determined to continue in the industry, they started Nations Choice with just five employees and a product line of five items.

Since then, the company has experienced significant growth. Today, Nations Choice employs approximately 300 people and offers over 170 products. In 2017, the company expanded into manufacturing and now produces more than 10 product lines, including burgers, hams, bacon, and pickled items.

Nations Choice is also a major purchaser of local pork and beef, playing an important role in supporting Jamaican farmers and strengthening the local agricultural sector.

In 2025 the company opened one of the largest cold storage facilities in Jamaica, with a capacity to store 3,500,000 kg of frozen products. This expansion increased the company’s total cold storage capacity to approximately 4,200,000 kg.

Additionally, Nations Choice imports products from 32 countries and works closely with numerous local suppliers and delivery contractors, who are essential to its distribution network. Nations Choice continues to grow steadily and remains committed to exploring new opportunities for expansion and development.

The range of new products

Curry Goat Burger, Jerk Beef Burger, Bacon Burger, Jerk Pork Burger, Leg Ham, Picnic Ham, Smoked Mackerel, Shrimp Burger, Garlic Breaded Swaii, Frozen Cantaloupe, Frozen Papaya, Frozen Coconut, Retail Smoked Turkey Neck

Where the ingredients are sourced

For all products that are manufactured in Jamaica, most of the ingredients are sourced locally. We only use imported ingredients that are not available in Jamaica in the sufficient quantity and quality.

Where the products are currently being sold

Products are sold in all major supermarkets and wholesalers across the island.

The story behind the packaging for the products

Nations Choice began primarily as a distribution company, focusing mainly on bulk products. As a result, the general public had little awareness of the brand. Although Jamaicans were consuming Nations Choice products, many consumers did not know who supplied them, as supermarkets and wholesalers often repackaged the products in tray packs for retail sale.

In 2017, the board decided that the company needed to become more visible in the marketplace. This led to the establishment of both a marketing department and a merchandising department. The company’s branding efforts began by placing Nations Choice stickers on the tray packs used by supermarkets to package its products. Over time, consumers started to recognise the brand. This approach continued for about two years, after which the company began developing its own product packaging. The move into manufacturing further strengthened this direction, creating the need for branded packaging for the company’s manufactured products.

We made these products because

We wanted to bring something unique and culturally authentic to the menu, while still keeping it approachable for a wide range of customers. For instance, we created the curry goat burger at Nations Choice to align with the brand’s identity of celebrating bold, authentic Caribbean flavours while keeping the menu fresh and exciting. Nations Choice is known for its strong cultural roots and flavourful dishes, so we wanted to take a traditional favourite like curry goat and present it in a way that feels both authentic and innovative. By turning it into a burger it makes the dish more accessible to a wider audience, especially younger customers and people who enjoy street-style or handheld food options.

The curry goat burger still delivers the rich seasoning and depth of flavour that customers expect from Nations Choice, but in a more convenient and modern format. It also helps the brand stand out by offering something unique that you don’t typically see on standard Caribbean menus.

Overall, the goal was to stay true to Nations Choice’s core identity while introducing a creative twist that attracts new customers, keeps regulars interested, and reinforces the brand as both authentic and forward-thinking.

Our first breakthrough came when

Supermarkets agreed to give our branded products shelf space.

The products became available to the public in

The year of 2022

Our core customers are

Supermarkets, wholesalers, restaurants, hotels, schools, and government institutions

The response to the products has been

Overwhelming, with sales exceeding initial projections and customers telling us how much they love our products.

My products are successful because

Of their consistent quality and affordable prices. In addition, the company maintains a reliable distribution network that enables islandwide delivery within 24 hours of an order being placed, ensuring customers receive fresh products promptly.

We plan to grow the business to become…

A household name in Jamaica and be known across the Caribbean.

Our major challenge is…

Getting enough shelf space in supermarkets.

This issue remains and managing the raw material inventory is…

Difficult due to price fluctuations caused by global market conditions.

If we knew then what we know now…

I would have started branding earlier.

Jamaicans should support our products because …

Buying Nations Choice products helps support local farmers and manufacturers. We also provide employment for almost 300 employees and their families, most of whom are from Clarendon.

Our post-Hurricane Melissa message, having given consideration to the importance of food security, sustainability and supporting our local food ecosystem, is… A more balanced and strategic approach to how we produce, source, and consume food is necessary in Jamaica. Nations Choice supports our local agricultural sector which is essential and we maintain a reliable framework for imports. A thoughtful balance between local production and imported goods helps safeguard food availability and safety, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters such as Hurricane Melissa, that ravaged key agricultural areas and global instabilities that often cause disruptions in the supply chains. Equally important is the need to diversify the range of foods available within our ecosystem.

We have opted to diversify our inventory and expand our capacity for cold storage to reduce overdependence on any product or source. This was evident in the response to Hurricane Melissa in which we partnered with World Central Kitchen as a key supplier of vegetable and protein in a time of great demand and reduced supplies. In addition to this, we actively addressed food waste with investments in processing, preservation, and the development of value-added products. These efforts not only extend shelf life and reduce losses but also create economic opportunities and strengthen community resilience. Nations Choice remains committed to actively contribute to building and maintaining a sustainable and secure food system in Jamaica. This is dependent on collaboration — between farmers, producers, policymakers, and consumers — to ensure that we are prepared, adaptable, and capable of feeding our nation even in the face of adversity.

Photographer: Naphtali Junior

Contact Information

E-mail Address: donald.mcdonald@nationschoiceja.com

Tel: 876-399-3159, 876-618-2800

Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judge Maurice Sloley gives his feedback on the curry goat burger. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Presenting Nations Choice Curry Goat Burger.(Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Nations Choice Curry Goat Burger prepared by Chef Haleem Card.(Photo: Naphtali Junior)