Stacey Smith, Freelance Writer
MANY JAMAICANS possess an indomi-table entrepreneurial spirit that finds them setting up shop at any available street corner, bus shed or school gate.
There they peddle their variety of wares such as sweeties, cigarettes or box juice. Many vendors camp out at sporting events with their array of edible goods and they do brisk business.
Many are looking forward to the CWC '07 to 'eat a food' or make a living; however, vending will be strictly controlled during this mega event.
The official caterer for CWC 2007 is a consortium comprising Caribbean company Goddard Catering Group (GCG), the catering division of Goddard Enterprises Barbados, and Positive Impact, a sports and entertainment consulting group located in New Jersey, the United States.
This consortium will develop and manage wide-ranging catering programmes for the tournament in the nine Caribbean venues hosting matches.
Accepting applications
In other words, they alone will approve any food sellers at the match venues. This process will involve the consortium inviting applications from and licensing all categories of vendors authorised to sell at matches. The consortium is currently accepting applications from vendors who may apply in the following categories:
The traditional itinerant vendor
Concession-stand operator
Hospitality suite caterer
Bar operator
Stand-alone vendor who will operate inside and outside of the Mello Zone - an area outside the venue where Jamaican products will be on display.
Roxanne Morris, the LOC's commercial manager, explained that authorised itinerant vendors will be able to sell in the stadium stands ONLY and some areas outside the stadium; while hospitality suite caterers will only serve the companies and individuals who have rented boxes.
Rules for vendors are very precise. To be eligible for consideration, vendors must have previous food selling experience at the stadium during cricket matches. They must already have a valid alcohol/food handler's permit and all other national licences to sell at public venues.
No competition
In addition, vendors must not plan to sell food or drinks that will compete with the sponsor's products. They also should not have an active criminal record.
Upon acceptance of their applications, vendors must sign a licence agreement. This must be returned to complete their application, after which they pay a licensing fee. Vendors will receive training and receive accreditation (badges) to enter and sell at the stadium.
Goddards and Positive Impact will also work with sponsors to develop sponsors' food courts and develop strategies to utilise the best vendors and suppliers in the host venue. They will also develop a uniform venue pricing plan for catering.
