BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AGNES CROSSLEY sits inside the Public Market next to her stall cutting up various peppers.
She is making her special seasoning with green peppers, seasoning peppers, garlic and thymes. After she cuts them up finely she is going to blend them at home and use them to season her meats including fish and chicken.
Today, (Oct. 29), she has time to do all of this because the market is not as busy as it used to be.
Crossley who is originally from Cayon but now lives in West Farm said that during the Tourist season many persons would come in and purchase from her, including hoteliers.
But nowadays most vendors are selling from the sidewalks which also eliminate many people from entering the Market.
But what caught this Reporter’s eye, was the lovely display of local produce Crossley had.
She had tangerines, cabbages, sweet potatoes, green bananas and much, much more.
She smiled proudly as she said she was a recipient of the Medal of Honour award for her invaluable investments in the agricultural landscape, during the 2012 Independence celebration.
“My children told me they saw me on the internet,” she said.
Crossley has been a market vendor for fifty five years.
In a previous interview she stated: “there were good days and bad days; everyday was not the same.”
In her younger days she would sell vegetables six days a week, but now she sells at the market three times per week.
She first began by buying vegetables in small quantities from farmers then graduated to purchasing larger quantities.
Crossley said she first used to sell in front of Coury’s on the Bay Road, but after Robert L. Bradshaw former Premier of St. Kitts and Nevis announced that vendors should move to the market to sell, she said this is where she has been since.
The 75 year-old said that she prefers to buy and sell local produce as they are much healthier to use with little or no chemicals.
“I enjoy selling my produce, going home and just relaxing and watching TV. I enjoy watching soap operas, and also enjoy going to church,” she said.
