Minette Brown (left) looks at some onions while Thomas Mayne (centre), regional manager, Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) for the Eastern Region, interacts with Johanna Scarlette, a farmer from Rock Hall, St. Andrew, at the JAS's 'Eat Jamaica Christmas Market', at its Church Street, downtown Kingston headquarters, on Thursday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has decided to host a monthly market sale with the success of its Christmas market held Thursday at its offices on Church Street, downtown Kingston.

Speaking with The Gleaner, Senator Norman Grant, president of the JAS, said based on the response to its 'Eat Jamaica Christmas Market', a decision was taken that the sale be held at least once a month in the New Year.

Held in similar fashion to a grand market, some 15 farmers from St. Andrew, St. Thomas and St. Catherine exhibited a wide range of produce on the grounds of the JAS.

Bundles of freshly grown lettuce, pak choi, string beans, carrots, ginger, pimento, yam, oranges and other produce were sprawled across tables.

In addition to the sale of farm produce, five companies displayed samples of their products.

Timely initiative

Sharon Brown, a housewife, congratulated the JAS on the initiative, saying it was timely for her Christmas Day dinner shopping.

"Now I don't have to go to Coronation Market (in Kingston) on Saturday when it will be packed," said Ms. Brown.

Senator Grant said providing accessibility to farm produce while offering an opportunity for farmers to showcase their produce during the season were among the primary reasons for hosting the Christmas market.

In addition, he said the Christmas market sale was being held under the theme 'Grow What We Eat, Eat What We Grow' in keeping with the JAS's ongoing Eat Jamaican campaign.

In observance of Eat Jamaica Day, which was commemorated a few weeks ago, Senator Grant implored consumers to purchase more locally grown produce in support of farmers who suffered a battering from the passage of Hurricane Dean in August.

The JAS president quoted statistics showing that the country's food imports had increased by at least 38 per cent between January and June this year when compared to the same period last year.

Unable to state how much farmers made from the JAS's Christmas market sale, Senator Grant said they are smiling.

"They were pleased," he said.