IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Senator Norman Grant prepares his yummy tomato salad. '
SENATOR NORMAN Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), has been in the agricultural business since birth. His parents, Leteria Hall and Emmanuel Grant, raised him on their small farm in Mavis Bank, St. Andrew.
Grant, the eldest of six children, describes himself as a good cook. His favourite dish to prepare is Run Down with tomatoes "which makes it rich enough".
He notes that in his early years he used to make juices, and while he doesn't do it much these days "I still haven't lost the common touch."
He remembers assisting with the daily running of the farm -- they grew mainly pumpkin, gungo peas and vegetables -- as well as helping out with household chores such as washing and cooking. As a young adult he became involved in coffee and has been a part of the Jamaican coffee world for about 20 years. Now he is the chief executive officer of the more than 100-year-old Mavis Bank Factory that produces coffee.
The former president of the
St. Andrew chapter of the JAS, the senator has been president
of the national association since 2003, becoming the youngest person in JAS history to hold the national title.
"I came to office with a vision to reposition the agricultural sector of Jamaica...There should be an active involvement of JAS in agro business to enrich farmers...I also want farmers to able to capitalise on CSME
(CARICOM Single Market and Economy that is to take effect later this month). As a nation
and the Caribbean we should be self-sufficient."
Since his presidency Senator Grant has implemented a proper legal system for farmers to
eliminate praedial larceny,
providing a viable market
for farmers, and bringing JAS-branded products -- callaloo, carrot juice, tin ackee and bottled water -- to the marketplace.
"I have a passion for agriculture and a vision for rural communities. I believe that they are the bedrock of economic development for society," says the 40-year-old who is also a trained accountant.
FOOD PHILOSOPHY: One should eat healthily. From the first time I ran for the JAS presidency in 2000 I had the 'Eat Jamaican' campaign idea. I held the idea and implemented it when I came to office in 2003 because I like quality. Survey shows that our products have a lower pesticide residue.
COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT: Coffee. I sop it. I drink it. My name is Norman Washington Grant but there is a coffee behind it. Of course, if water were defined as a food I wouldn't be able to live without it either. I also like my yam, banana and mixture of vegetables -- this is a combination for life.
FOOD YOU DISLIKE: I tend not to like oily and fatty foods. I do eat a little fast food but I like my cooked meals. I don't like a lot of concentrated sugar either. It's all about healthy eating. I have been trying to become a vegetarian but I can't make it. Still, in time to come to come, while I may not be a full-pledged vegetarian I want to be very selective in my consumption of meat.
KITCHEN/CUPBOARD CONFESSION: Wine. I keep it for entertainment as I am not a person for alcohol. Also, my sweet potato pudding. I buy it or sometimes my wife (Millicent) will bake it.
FIRST FOOD MEMORY: As a youngster, about 12 or 13 years old, I recall my mother making some wonderful dishes for me. It was a combination of turn cornmeal with gungo peas mixed with pumpkin. Man, that was nice. Dem things make us excited that's why we are so strong.
Shelly-Ann Thompson
