Vegetables from MacKnight Farms funded by the SIDF now on dining tables

Brian Griffin inspecting crops

Chad Williams about to water seedlings

BASSETERRE, ST.KITTS, MAY 2ND 2012 (CUOPM) – Thirty six males involved in the Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Programme (STEP) have been growing vegetables which are now available on supermarket shelves and the menu at restaurants.

The greenhouse system being used by the Mc Knight Community Farms has been purchased by The Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Programme (STEP) Foundation with funds contributed by the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund (SIDF).

Brian Griffin told the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister(CUOPM) on Wednesday that over the past few months they have grown and are growing vegetables in eight greenhouses on land behind the Education Annex on Cayon Street.

“We have grown and are growing several species of tomatoes, lettuce and sweet pepper. We also have beet, radish and carrot growing,” said Griffin.

He expressed great satisfaction that the vegetables have already found their way on the supermarket shelves at Best Buy and the dining tables of local restaurants including Carambola, Marshalls, Excelsior and Chef’s Place.

“Just this morning, we delivered fresh vegetables to our leading restaurants,” Griffin said with pride.

CUOPM understands that greenhouses are now being constructed at the School Farm and the Project Strong.