Another successful initiative in Trinidad and Tobago, involving low
income earners and the corporate citizenry. Gardeners, involved in landscaping
and lawn-cutting, are being invited, trained and encourage to grow food crops.
Home owners have been asked to convert part of their premises into a Kitchen
Garden, cultivated and maintained by their same trusted gardener. Employing the
most up-to-date state-of-the-art green technology, with a mix of hydroponics
and organic fertilizers, disease and pest control strategies. The Partnership
between the Gardeners and Massey Food Stores is to benefit consumers with fresh
foods from right in their neighborhood and even from their neighbor’s back yard.
Massey Food Stores, still
well-known for its High quality and Low prices (Hi-Lo) in the neighborhoods they
serve. Hi-Lo is well established and a household name in this country of 1.4
million people. Operating in the Retail Sales Supermarket sector with currently
[No. of] Locations serving as neighborhood
landmarks in targeted caption areas. Each Store is supported by convenient car
parking and spacious shopping lanes with speedy and accurate Checkout facilities.
This Supermarket chain is in constant innovation mode, always seeking better
for its large loyal customer base and to win over others. Its in store Bakery,
Deli and Pharmacy offers customers a one stop grocery shopping experience.
Merchandising and sampling of new products, launched in the market, are displayed
at various times. And, of course, there is its well-trained and helpful staff.
Massey has recently
invited groups of established neighborhood gardeners to become prime fresh food
suppliers. Residential Gardeners, armed with their weed whackers and leaf
blowers, operating to only maintain the landscapes, have been encouraged to
develop a small kitchen garden within the many premises they upkeep. These
Gardeners approached their existing and new clients with a simple mission; to
utilize relatively un or under productive lands spaces to grow short grow-time
crops. Crops, which suit the environment, consumed and used by the property
owner or current occupant of the premises and grown using lands made available
in return for a portion of the harvest or a reduction in the usual landscaping
fees.
Gardeners have been
supplied with a simple document, an agreement granting permission for them to
plant using the designated areas, which must be sign by the occupant of the
premises. Using modern agricultural strategies to monitor and report on
circumstantial yields, changes in practices and procedures to increase product
output and alterations to nutrients for faster grow-time. Scientifically
documented for ease of repetition, adjusted across each crop, plot, soil type,
direct sunshine, artificial lighting and atmospheric conditions. Supplied with
the best technology and testing, from the nation’s food and drug labs, are
processes to minimize risks from disease and pest.
Massey Stores and
its quality control personnel, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture,
supplies the best seeds for germination, the best processes to produce healthy
seedlings, and hands over to the Gardeners to transplant, nourish, worn-off
diseases and control unwanted pests, for resulting high-quality crops. Year-round
short grow-time crops are harvested with care, washed and packaged, weighed and
priced, to reward the Gardener’s efforts. Garden fresh crops or freshly made
salads, displayed in the Store minutes away from its farm, are now available to
consumers, for healthy eating. These beautiful neighborhood gardens feed local
residences and are very attractive and educational sights.
Research & Written
by:
Disclosure & Declaration:
Mr. Jennings researched,
planned, managed and reported on his own three years running Back Yard Garden.
