BASSETERRE St. Kitts, June 21st, 2012 -- Friday 29th June will mark the 5th edition of the Department of Agriculture’s Eat Local Day.
The event is actually a food festival held in Independence Square running for about 5 hours-11 am to 4 pm.
For the first time this year the Department is inviting home owners (house wives and house husbands) to participate in a Best Local Dish competition. Attractive prizes ranging from hotel stays and dinners by restaurants have already been secured for winners and participants.
Competitors are required to create the own local dish and enter it among other competing dishes. The dishes will be judged and winners determined. Registration for this competition closes on Wednesday June 27th
Apart from the competition the regular food Fair of Eat Local Day will be the other attraction The emphasis as the name implies is strictly locally prepared food as the Department continues its quest to get the entire population to eat a completely local meal on that day.
One of the objectives is to get nationals and in some case foreigners accustomed to the taste and versatility of local foods.
To this end the Department has contracted eight (8) caterers to satisfy the anticipated appetites of over 2000 patrons. As a result of this drive, it has been proven that the demand for locally produced food increases. Once again this year it is hoped that the increased demand continues and more importantly it is satisfied.
The successful staging of the Eat Local Day also lends credence to the issue of food security or guards against food insecurity. It helps to answer the question of "what if" the containers don't come or "what if" there is an international issue that prevents timely importation
The focus Rabbit meat continues as all the caterers will have that option on their menu. Added to that, the other regular meats of local pork, fish, mutton and beef will also be available. A booth providing ital from all local ingredients will also be on hand.
The local drinks and snacks that can be used as dessert or take away will be done by two Agricultural Cooperatives, the Fahies Agricultural Women and the St. Kitts Agro Processors.
Apart from Farmers and Cooperatives the private sector particularly restaurants, supermarkets and hotels are also on board lending support in some form or fashion. Supermarkets have provided some equipment and several restaurants and hotels have agreed to have an entire local option on their menu on that day.
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