MORE LOCAL JUICES FOR SCHOOLS

MORE LOCAL JUICES FOR SCHOOLS

Cabinet recently approved a policy to utilize locally produced juice concentrate for the School Feeding Programme.

Under the policy, Nutrition Products Limited will contract local producers Jamaica Exotic Flavours and Essences, Jamaica Citrus Growers Ltd and Trade Winds Citrus Limited (Tru Juice), to supply juice concentrate for schools and other organizations under its programme.

The policy is a direct response to the need for the country to have an import substitution model for food security and also to counteract the soaring food import bill. The policy directly addresses the nutritional status of children as it targets schools and health facilities that are managed by the state.

The government Ministries that will carry out the policy are the Ministries of Education; Industry, Investment and Commerce and Agriculture and Fisheries.

Minister with Responsibility for Information, Daryl Vaz made the disclosure at Wednesday, December 9 post-cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.