by Linda Straker
- Board members’ names published in 2 June edition of Government Gazette
- Board will serve for 3 years from 15 May 2023
- Funds and resources of Council are funds received from external sources
Two months after the cabinet decided who would serve on the reconstituted Board of the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC), the members’ names were published in the 2 June edition of the Government Gazette.
The Board will serve for 3 years from 15 May 2023.
Gemma Bain-Thomas, a former public officer who has returned and is serving in the newly established post of Administrative Executive in the Ministry of Agriculture, will chair the Board.
The other members and their representative institutions are:
- Deborah Gilchrist, Ministry of Education
- Denis Baptiste, Ministry of Agriculture
- Dr Shawn Charles, Ministry of Health
- Dr Tessa Barry, Consultant in the Agricultural Extension
- Godwin Thomas, Grenada Trades Union Council
- Justin Hazzard, Ministry of Finance
- Kinda De Bellotte, Ministry of Social Development
- Lydia Browne, Executive Secretary of the GFNC.
- Petipher Lewis, Grenada Chamber of Industry & Commerce
- Samuel Alexander, Farmers’ representative
- Wendy Andrew, Ministry of Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs
According to the Food and Nutrition Council legislation, the functions of the Council are:
(a) to make recommendations for a national food and nutrition policy
(b) to develop a food and nutrition planning process
(c) to monitor food and nutrition programmes
(d) to prepare and evaluate food and nutrition projects
(e) to assist in the implementation of selected projects
(f) to assist in the establishment of food quality throughout the food chain in collaboration with other responsible agencies; and
(g) to perform such other functions related to food and nutrition as the Minister may think necessary
The legislation further explains that for the purpose of carrying out its functions the Council:
(a) shall have access to all relevant information relating to the planning, implementation and progress of food and nutrition programmes
(b) shall advise on budgetary allocations to such programmes
(c) shall ensure that food and nutrition policy is applied to such programmes; (d) may co-opt and mobilise resource personnel; and (e) may apply for, and receive, funding from local and external sources
The funds and resources of the Council are funds received from external sources. Such sums as may be provided by Parliament; all other sums of money that become payable to the Council; and all property that may become vested in the Council.
The first step is to regulate the Quality of the produce offered for sale. The fruits are not ripened therefore there is a lack of nutritional value. They are used to make sugary drinks no nutritional value for our children. Quality, Quality, Quality means the best that can be offered for sale.
What a waste of resources considering we don’t make or export much food stuff.
Take the salaries of all these selected few and I am sure one can do so much better with that funds.
Our national dish is not widely available as our citizens queue up daily to purchase KFC.