By Monique Washington
“Eat What We Grow–Eat Local” is the theme of the ninth staging of the St. Kitts Department of Agriculture fair. The event will take place today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Basseterre at Independence Square. It is sponsored by Digicel.
Department of Agriculture Marketing Director Alphonso Clarke told The Observer on Monday the fair’s goal is to inform St. Kitts residents how eat fresh local food and be health conscious.
“People are now exercising and eating much healthier,” Clarke explained. “Healthy eating goes hand-in-hand with exercise.”
The fair will create “an avenue for farmers to advertise their produce, Clarke said. “After each event we see a greater demand for local produce. This is a positive sign.”
Clarke said this type of event is very important.
“For this event we will feature only local commodities, crops and livestock products, especially pork.”
Clarke pointed out that at present St. Kitts has an over-supply of pork.
Nevis’ Permanent Secretary in Agriculture, Eric Evelyn said the same thing about Nevis’ pork supply several weeks ago.
Along with pork, Clarke pointed out that farmers have been harvesting large amounts of pumpkins and sweet potatoes. He claimed one farmer reaped between 4,000 to 5000 pounds of pumpkins.
“We have so many pumpkins and sweet potatoes on the island we might soon export them to St Martin, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. Some of the crops were affected by the drought, but it wasn’t that bad because we still have a large supply,” Clarke said.
He said a minimum of eight caterers will participate in the fair and prepare only local dishes using local products.
“There will be dove-down pork, creole mutton, stuffed pot fish, spicy rabbit and stewed tree mutton. The person cooking the tree mutton is a specialist in preparing that dish,” Clarke said.
The fair will also be attended by St. Kitts Agro processors and the Fahie Agricultural Women’s Co-op with local passion fruit and guava juices; wines; and mango roll-ups, a candy-like product.
Clarke said the biggest differences this year are Ministry of Tourism and Music Festival participants.
“The Ministry of Tourism is promoting pumpkin for restaurant week,” Clarke explained. “The winner of the competition will present the winning dish, pumpkin and chicken stew. Pumpkin is versatile and full of nutrients, fiber and potassium.”
The Music Festival will provide live entertainment by local artists.”
