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Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lennox Chandler, cutting the ribbon to officially declare Carmeta’s open while Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BADMC, Glendene Bartlett looks on.(J. Bishop/BGIS)

"A stalwart of the local food industry." That was how Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management, Lennox Chandler, described the late Carmeta Fraser last evening, as he officially declared Carmeta’s, the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation’s (BADMC) retail meat shop, open to the public.

Located at the BADMC, Princess Alice Highway, The City, Carmeta’s will carry a variety of local, fresh products such as Blackbelly lamb, chicken, goat meat, rabbit, pork, beef, turkey wings, cassava, breadfruit and sweet potato flours, jellies, jams, seasonings, seasoned meat products, sugar cakes and nut cakes, just to name a few.

Mr. Chandler said that in addition to improving the retail visibility of the BADMC’s freshly butchered meats, Carmeta’s would also provide a sustainable customer-focused marketing channel for local farmers and agro-producers who were serviced through its Agricultural Services Department.

Additionally, he pointed out that at a time when Government and Barbadians were "crying out" for a reduction in food prices and, by extension, the food import bill, Carmeta’s was well-placed to lower food imports, while providing safe and healthy food options for its customers. The Acting Permanent Secretary said the shop would provide high quality products at competitive prices.

He added that there could be no more fitting tribute to Mrs. Fraser who was known for coining the phrase "Food Comes First!" than to adhere to her admonition.

Mr. Chandler also made a call for the recipes of Mrs. Fraser and those of another pioneer of local cuisine, Marion Hart, to be captured and immortalised in cookbooks and sold at the shop.

"The work of these two ladies will prove invaluable to those persons who are desirous of experimenting with and enjoying local Barbadian produce," he said.

The shop will open from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and 8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

melissa.rollock@barbados.gov.bb

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