“Growing Goodness Together”

In honour of our upcoming 90th year in agriculture, Jamaica Producers Group has dedicated efforts and resources to support our firm belief that no child in Jamaica should start their day at school hungry. As local farmers and producers, we wholeheartedly embrace our national duty to ensure that our children are nourished with the launch of The Heritage Project. The Heritage Project represents a bold initiative to lend major support to our nation’s school feeding programmes and the purposeful shift towards providing our children with healthy eating options.

 

Beginning January 1, 2019 JP Farms has committed to providing 1 million pounds of our 100% locally grown green bananas to public educational institutions at a truly affordable price (over 75% below market value). For $5 per pound, every public educational institution in Jamaica will have access to the lowest cost healthy energy food available on the market that is locally grown and of high nutritional value. The mission of The Heritage Project is directly aligned with government programmes to reduce the incidence of nutrition-based non-communicable diseases by targeting our nation's youth. As the project evolves, a similar offer will be made to public health institutions and registered charities.

 

During the course of the past year, we completed partner consultations with culinary professionals and food technologists to develop tested and appetizing recipes with high nutritional value to share with the schools. We continue to work closely with schools, government officials and distributors to ensure that The Heritage Project provides maximum benefit and meets the specific needs of the children of Jamaica.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Heritage Project?

In celebration of the Jamaica Producers Group 90th anniversary, the company has committed to providing 1 million pounds of green bananas to public educational institutions at a truly affordable price via its JP St. Mary’s brand. The bananas are 100% locally grown from JP Farms, located in St. Mary, Jamaica. For J$5 per pound, every public educational institution in Jamaica will have access to the lowest cost healthy energy food available on the market that is locally grown and of high nutritional value.

 

The mission of The Heritage Project is directly aligned with government programmes to reduce the incidence of nutrition-based non-communicable diseases by targeting our nation's youth. As the project evolves, a similar offer will be made to public health institutions and registered charities.

What is the price that bananas will be sold at and size?

The bananas will be sold at J$5 per pound of fruit. Fruits will be sold in reusable sacks, which is in adherence of the impending ban on single use plastic bags. Each bag holds on average 110 fingers of bananas.

How can schools and other organisations participate in the JP St. Mary’s Heritage Project and gain value from being a part of such a programme?

Schools can participate by calling our sales department at 920 -GOJP (4657). Our sales representative will send a form to the school to be completed, indicating the quantity to be ordered and other critical information. The form must be stamped and signed by the school principal and returned to JPTF for verification. Once verified by JPTF, the school will begin to order on a weekly basis. Note the person picking up the bananas for the school must have a school identification card.

 

The value that this programme brings, is that it allows for strategic partnerships with various organisations across Jamaica, who have the option of sponsoring any school/ schools of choice thereby ensuring that a sustainable feeding programme is executed and each child is fed.

How will schools get the bananas they order?

The bananas must be picked up from either of JPTF’s 2 depots.

 

  1. Kingston – JP Tropical Foods, Tropical House, 14 Retirement Road, Kingston 5
  2. St. Mary – JP Farms, St. Mary (Junction)

 

If schools wish to have the bananas delivered, there will be an additional charge. However, if schools purchase additional JP St. Mary’s products valued at J$5,000.00, JPTF will deliver the products for free in the KMA.

Is there a limit on the quantity of bananas schools can purchase?

Yes. Schools will be limited to a maximum 100 pounds per order and can order no more than 2 times per week.

Can schools buy the bananas and resell to others outside of the school system?

No. Bananas at this time, are limited to solely school purchases. These purchases will be verified via a controlled audit system that will be executed by JPTF throughout the course of this project.

Can anyone purchase bananas and resell to schools directly?

Yes. The individual however, must get the school to sign the requisite form which is to be stamped with the school’s seal and signed by the school principal. Note that forms once signed, must be returned to JPTF for verification. No school/ individual will be given any orders unless the verification process has been completed.

How are orders paid for?

Orders must be paid for via cash, debit or credit card at our distribution centres. No order will be sent unless payment has been received and verified.

Organisations that wish to support a school of choice can make the payment using any of the options above or via bank transfer.

When can I start ordering?

Schools can begin placing orders now with first delivery to take place the first week of the new school year in January 2019.

Why serve green bananas to the students every day, won’t it become boring?

Green bananas are versatile and as such, it is not expected that the students will eat boiled green bananas every day. Instead, JPTF has worked with an Executive Chef to develop various green banana recipes that are quick, fun and healthy. These recipes will be dispatched to each school upon purchase. The recipes are also available on the JP St. Mary’s website.

 

Green bananas are nutritious, give energy and can be eaten at any meal.  Many of our kids come to school hungry and do not have a nutritious lunch.  Bananas can make a difference to these kids and make a difference to their educational outcomes.

How can JPTF afford to sell these bananas at J$5 per pound? Where are the bananas from?

JP Farms has forecasted that it will harvest 14 million pounds of bananas for 2019 and as such, an allotment of 1 million pounds has been allocated for the Heritage Project. JP believes in the initiative and has set aside millions of dollars in its 2019 budget to ensure that this project is a success.

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“Growing Goodness Together”