Salada Foods wins Gold ADDY award for ‘Day in the Life’ web series

Jamaican manufacturing company Salada Foods has been honoured with a Gold ADDY Award for its ‘Day in the Life’ web series. The American Advertising (ADDY) Awards, the industry’s premier competition, recognised the exceptional creativity and ingenuity displayed in Salada Foods’ visual campaign. Kerrine Tulloch, marketing coordinator at Salada Foods says, corporate partners Salada Foods and ESIROM Limited collaborated on the conceptualisation of the visual campaign series but were not forecasting any awards for the production, which was primarily aimed at promoting company culture and showing the day-to-day activities that drive the operations, with the added twist of including an external perspective. Tulloch added, “Winning this award is a testament to the hard work and ongoing commitment of Salada Foods to empowering the future of Jamaica’s workforce by providing valuable insight into our operations.” The ‘Day in the Life’ web series was conceived to create a motivational space for Salada Foods’ workforce and to provide mentorship to upcoming business leaders aided by real-time visuals. This initiative showcases the roles of various professionals within the company, capturing their passion and professionalism. Featuring Jevaughn Gordon, a graduate of the Caribbean School of Media and Communication, the series highlights the day-to-day activities across different departments, including administrative, laboratory, quality assurance and factory operations. Alex Morrissey, director at ESIROM Limited, said the goal is building purposeful brands through storytelling. He expressed pride in the recognition received and extended gratitude to the team at Salada for their trust and collaboration. ESIROM Limited also received a Silver ADDY Award for its Climate Change Initiative produced in partnership with Reggae Sumfest. “We were specifically recognised in the Webisode(s) – Series category. Jamaica falls under the Caribbean and Florida category. As an advertising and social media marketing agency we measure how well our campaigns work within the market and across the digital platforms but receiving an ADDY is validation that our work measures up creatively,” said Morrissey. Approximately 42 companies from six Caribbean island nations submitted more than 456 entries to be judged as the top creative executions for the ADDY Awards for 2024. Winners from AAF-Caribbean will compete with winners from Florida at the district competition with winners being announced in May at the district four annual meeting and gala presentation.

Jamaica Mountain Peak launches Golden Turmeric Pumpkin Spice Latte

Though autumn is months away, Jamaica Mountain Peak is hoping to bring a fall favourite into spring with their new Golden Turmeric Latte with Pumpkin Spice. Commercial and corporate affairs manager at Salada Foods, Kerrian Johnson, told Food the product is the latest in a long line of new products that they are launching. “Innovation has been a mandate for us and we vowed that we are gonna launch at least one new product, every year. We did that with our Ginger Turmeric Tea, we did that with our flavoured coffees last year and now we’re launching our Turmeric Latte flavoured with Pumpkin Spice.” Now available across the island and in Trinidad and Tobago, Johnson said the seemingly odd flavour pairing was meant to appeal to the widest audience. “If you’re a turmeric drinker, you know that it’s a little bit harsh, it burns a little bit going down. So we wanted to find something that is pleasing to all, so by merging all of the great benefits of turmeric into a latte, with a three-in-one formula, [we’ve done that].” She continued, “What we wanted to do now to appeal to a wider demographic, was to boost the flavour, which is how we got the pumpkin spice.” Though only on the market for less than a week, she said they knew it’d be a hit immediately. “We’ve been doing research and development and innovation for quite a number of years but this is the first time that we have had almost a 100 per cent satisfaction and love for our product when we did our taste test. Like everyone loved it.” Confirming their suspicion, Leroy Montaque said, “I think it was a great initiative for them to actually come up with it. The tricky thing about turmeric is that when people hear about it, with all the things that’s going around now about health, and the health benefits of turmeric it really intrigues people. And then now when you try it, it’s so wonderful. That creamy, milky, turmeric gingery, everything that you feel, the cinnamon and all of that, it was really, really great and I believe that it will be a hit in the supermarket when it gets out. I give it a eight out of 10.”

Salada brings non-dairy latte beverage to market

Manufacturer of instant coffee and teas Salada Foods has launched a new Golden Turmeric Latte, under its flagship brand Jamaica Mountain Peak (JMP). Drawing from global market shifts within the hot beverage sector, the Salada took cues to innovate this new offering. Crafted with a blend of turmeric and plant-based creamer, the 24-gram packet of latte offers a rich, creamy texture setting it apart in the market, said Salada Foods General Manager Tamii Brown. Packaged in a vibrant golden packet, the JMP Golden Turmeric Latte, unlike its 3-in-1 coffee sachets, offers a non-coffee alternative currently available in Pumpkin Spice flavour. Caffeine-free and free from artificial sweeteners, the turmeric used to craft the product, is responsibly sourced from local Jamaican farmers, the company noted. “Understanding that coffee and tea preferences are deeply personal, we developed the Golden Turmeric Latte to cater to consumers seeking a latte experience without coffee, while also accommodating non-dairy preferences with coconut milk,” Brown said. “Expanding our product portfolio to meet diverse consumer needs is crucial to our success. We are dedicated to creating delicious products that resonate with as many people as possible.” The new product was unveiled during the recent staging of Earth Hour Jamaica, the company provided patrons with a taste of the ‘latte with a twist’ showcasing its versatility – being served cold and topped with whipped cream and being served as a warm beverage. Brown emphasised the rarity of finding a treat that is both delicious and beneficial for health stating, “this indulgent latte combines healthy ingredients with just the right amount of sweetness and creaminess, contributing to the growing latte trend.” Containing curcumin which has anti-inflammatory properties, the Golden Turmeric Latte is a unique addition to Jamaica’s beverage portfolio, suitable for all ages, it offers immunity boosting, powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Salada Foods’ new offering is available on shelves of the tea aisle at the major retailers across the island with plans for wider distribution in various retail outlets and supermarkets across the Caribbean. The Salada Foods Commercial and Corporate Affairs Manager, Kerrian Johnson, is optimistic about the product and its potential impact on the local tea industry following the team’s activation at Earth Hour Jamaica. Not only did Salada Foods provide samples, but also treated patrons to five-minute massages. “We believe we could not have selected a more appropriate event to partner with for the official launch of our innovation. The organisers of the annual Earth Hour Jamaica live concert, ESIROM, have always aligned with our core values to deliver the highest quality and promote sustainable consumption,” Johnson remarked. Sourced responsibly from local turmeric farmers, the turmeric-based beverage leverages Salada Foods’ core manufacturing expertise in spray-drying without relying solely on Jamaican coffee beans.

Doc endorses ginger, turmeric for women’s health

Dr. Kiri-an Bridgewater-Lyon, obstetrician and gynaecologist, has endorsed ginger and turmeric products for women’s health, specifically in addressing pain associated with the menstrual cycle, conditions like endometriosis, and in alleviating pregnancy-related nausea. The endorsement comes in March, observed as Endometriosis Awareness Month. Dr Bridgewater-Lyon said that amidst the shifting medical culture from Westernised ideas to more holistic approaches, an increasing number of patients are seeking alternative solutions. “With the evolving medical landscape, we have witnessed women becoming more informed and empowered to advocate for themselves by doing research. With a pregnancy, I am able to help my patient on the journey and the outcome is a beautiful healthy baby; likewise, for menstrual health, I can make recommendations, outside of the usual prescribing medication for the symptoms, that reap successful results and persons are aware that food is medication too,” she said. Jamaica Mountain Peak unveiled a series of viral videos heralding a significant endorsement from Dr Bridgewater-Lyon, who lauded the natural and therapeutic benefits of Jamaican Mountain Peak Ginger and Ginger Turmeric teas. Concerned about the potential risks associated with conventional treatments, Dr Bridgewater-Lyon highlighted that many women seek safer alternatives to manage their symptoms. “Understanding the power of ginger and turmeric for women’s health can make a significant difference in how we approach our well-being. The remarkable anti-inflammatory properties of both have been well documented. Conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are often linked to inflammation. Studies have shown that ginger or ginger tea is just as effective as some over-the-counter medications in reducing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy,” shared the doctor, who herself recently gave birth to a baby girl. Pregnancy nausea, commonly known as morning sickness, affects a significant percentage of expectant mothers worldwide. Dr Bridgewater-Lyon noted that ginger, in particular, consumed as a tea, is a game-changer for women who experience pregnancy-related nausea. Ginger and turmeric are actually two of the powerful roots with anti-inflammatory properties that are important for women’s health. Turmeric has been studied for its potential to modulate hormone levels, aiding in maintaining a healthy balance, which is particularly important for conditions like PCOS. “Part of my mission is to help and to advocate with – and for – women,” Dr Bridgewater-Lyon expressed. “Everytime I see a woman’s life improve I become more fulfilled. I continue to endorse the teas because of the incredible healing properties of the two roots which have helped my patients.” Jamaican Mountain Peak Instant Ginger Tea and Instant Ginger Turmeric Tea are renowned for their potent flavour profiles and therapeutic benefits, thanks to the use of home-grown Jamaican ingredients. Ginger and turmeric have proven to be a dynamic pain-fighting duo. The partnership between Salada Foods and Dr Bridgewater-Lyon underscores a shared commitment to promoting women’s health and wellness. By leveraging Dr Bridgewater-Lyon’s expertise and endorsement, Salada Foods aims to raise awareness about the medicinal benefits of ginger and turmeric to provide expectant mothers with a safe and effective solution for pregnancy nausea relief. “We are privileged to have Dr Bridgewater-Lyon’s endorsement of our Jamaican Mountain Peak Ginger products,” expressed Salada Foods General Manager Tamii Brown. “Her expertise and dedication to women’s health aligns perfectly with our mission to provide high-quality, natural remedies that address the unique needs of women and enhance the overall well-being of our consumers.”

Salada touting exports, innovation to boost top line

Products from the Jamaica Mountain Peak line, produced by coffee company Salada Foods Jamaica Limited, are now on the shelves of major US retailer Publix Supermarkets in Florida, specifically in the Miami and Jacksonville areas. It will give Floridians a taste of Salada’s flavoured coffees such as Coconut Cappuccino, as well as non-coffee products such as its ginger teas. General Manager Tamii Brown says the foray into the southern United States is part of a larger export drive that’s meant to improve Salada’s revenues. It is also an expansion of Salada’s North American markets, which already include the Tri-State area of the US and Canada. Brown says the company is pushing for improvements on all fronts, with a particular focus on exports. The company is also aiming to drive up sales through product innovations. In the December quarter, revenue improved by two per cent to just under $300 million. In nominal terms, the gain was less than $6 million. And Brown says the company is looking towards the Caribbean and the diaspora to move the needle. “We’re focusing on our neighbourhood, first and foremost, that is to say, our Caricom footprint. We had our first shipment to St Lucia and Antigua, and they’ve just released our first shipment to Trinidad,” she said. Salada promised shareholders last April that the company would be pushing innovation. One new product has undergone extensive testing and should be ready for launch before the annual shareholders’ meeting set for March 20. “It has the highest sensory evaluation ratings that we’ve got in a few years. We’re very excited about it,” Brown said, as she teased about the new offering. “It’s a non-coffee product which is in line with our stated goal of product diversification. It is a Jamaican product using Jamaican inputs, but it’s not coffee,” the GM said. Despite the flat top line in the December first quarter, Salada delivered 12.8 per cent more in net profits relative to the previous year. The company earned $30.88 million, up from $27.37 million.

New coffee flavours enter diaspora

SALADA Foods’ additional instant Mountain Peak coffee flavours have entered a new space for taste buds and it’s going international. Three new coffee flavours, Cinnameg, a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg flavours; Coconut Cappuccino, and Caramel, launched in March 2022 and according to its Commercial and Corporate Affairs Manager Kerrian Johnson, they have been doing well since. “We have been growing significantly and this has become one of our very valuable product lines since March,” she said during an interview at the Jamaica Observer Food Awards tasting Tuesday evening at the AC Hotel. With the products on display, a proud Johnson reclaimed that the products were once on shelves but was removed to revamp their flavour profile. Its return is now claiming a broader demographic. “We really love that blend [cinnameg] because it speaks to a more mature demographic who knows how to put nutmeg and the cinnamon in the coffee, while our younger demographic gravitates to cappuccino and caramel,” she said. After more research in coffee and discovering its many spin-off recipes, Salada brought back the product with the intention to not only satisfy curious taste buds but also engage coffee enthusiasts to try their hands with instant coffee creations with a product that makes the process easier. “It’s a three-in-one product which has cane sugar, creamer and the flavoured coffee. We know this is where people want to go, everybody is a barista at home,” said Johnson enthusiastically. At first, the product slowly made its way off the shelves. Consumers’ lack of familiarity with the product led to Salada stepping up its marketing strategies. “We did a lot of sampling, we did a lot of advertising, we have our ads out and we went all over the island to push this product,” she expressed. In just over a year since its launch, Johnson, while not offering its profit margins or distribution targets, says one of the flavours has been flying off the shelves. “We can’t keep our coconut cappuccino, this is going like hot bread, coconut cappuccino number one, caramel number two and cinnameg number two,” Johnson revealed to the Business Observer. Johnson also did not offer its growth target either locally or internationally, instead, she said the focus for Salada is on expanding its distribution footprint. “We’re now trying to get our flavoured portfolio into our existing market,” she said. She further added, “We have already started in the Caribbean and going into the diaspora and going to England as well.” But hot beverage is not the end for the largest soluble coffee factory in the English-speaking Caribbean, according to Johnson its innovation pipeline is buzzing. “We are a hot beverage company but we do have some other spin-offs from our hot beverage line that’s based on the capabilities of our factory,” she said.

GoodHeart | Jebb Memorial receives eco-bowling alley from Salada Foods and ESIROM

Corporate partners Salada Foods and ESIROM Limited boosted the playtime and extra-curricular activities at Jebb Memorial Basic School located on Spanish Town Road with the donation of an eco-friendly bowling alley. School Principal, Leonie Salmon Wong-Sue said that the students and teachers welcome the eco-friendly bowling alley and were anxious to get the games on a roll. “From Monday, the children were peeping through the window curious to see what the main structure was. I don’t think many of our children (who are from the community) are exposed to playing outdoors, especially traditional games, when they are home. Now we have the bowling alley and a hopscotch too. They were initially happy coming outside to have a look at it and more so to play the games,” she said. Made from recycled materials, primarily plastic bottles for the bowling pins, an old pipe ‘up-cycled’ to make the gutter and ply board forming the land and the overall structure, the bowling alley was a large structure, adjusted to fit into the play area at the school. Salada Foods has been working with administrators at Jebb Memorial Basic School to improve infrastructure and welfare at the institution. The early childhood institution currently has 69 children enrolled and four teachers, inclusive of the principal, who also teaches. “The partnership with Salada goes way back, before I even arrived here in 1999, and since then they have done so much. They love the students very much and want to see the school up and the doors open so we can continue to have the little ones come in so we can educate them. Everyone loves the gift, it was a creative way to get their attention and get them listening and the token shows Salada was also listening. I know the children will be asking often when they can go out to bowl and this is also a medium for us to teach colours and help them with their fine and gross motor skills, through an experience they will love,” Wong-Sue stated. The bowling alley was originally constructed by Denzel ‘Trevor’ Edwards, a fisherman by profession, who is passionate about environmental sustainability and plastic waste management, for ESIROM’s 2023 Earth Hour Concert which was held in March. Salada was delighted to know that the team was able to find a way to repurpose the bowling alley, and according to Tamii Brown, Salada Foods’ general manager, the changes were appropriate and fulfilled the desired outcome of making the bowling alley “an edutainment tool”. “It was heartwarming to see how excited the children were to receive the bowling alley, and having visitors to share with them on the occasion. Children need these types of engagements in order to function and to enhance their learning capacities and all the better, that it can be done in the eco-friendly space that Salada Foods and our friends at ESIROM have partnered to create. Repurposing the alley was ingenious; and we wanted to build on immersive learning activities with a game such as bowling, that requires critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication amongst the children, all while empowering their educators,” said Brown. In her efforts to find sustainable projects and ways to educate the youths on their responsibility to the environment, Khalia Hall, sustainability coordinator at ESIROM Limited, discovered that games could not only attract the needed attention at the concert, but help to raise awareness. “In trying to host the event more sustainably, one of the things we included was the ‘Planet Play’ section and we were happy to have Salada on board to sponsor one of the games. After we saw the impact it made, we never wanted it to go to waste and they told us about Jebb Memorial Basic School and we thought it was a perfect solution to the situation,” Hall said. She continued, “Something I always say is, a big solution to environmental issues is to raise awareness and to educate; and thinking back to when I was a student in school, I never learnt about it. Now, they’re learning it from a young age and to have a symbolic game that is not only fun but entertaining and educational, they see something like plastic bottles being put to use rather than thrown in the trash. My heart was also warmed from setup to finish, I was expecting the excitement but never expected it to this level, I’m at a loss for words.”

Strong support for Read Across Jamaica Day

Students and teachers from early childhood institutions in the Corporate Area took a group photo after receiving a unique reading experience from storyteller extraordinaire, Amina Blackwood Meeks (sixth from right in back row), who brought stories to life, and inspired and intrigued the students alongside Netollia Fairweather-Sims, librarian at Liberty Hall. The students were given a tour of Liberty Hall and educated about Marcus Garvey. They were also presented with gifts by JN Group member companies, JN Fund Managers, MC Systems, JNGI and JN Money Services. SCORES of Jamaicans on Tuesday turned out at schools across the island for Read Across Jamaica Day. The day, celebrated yearly, exposes children to the joys of reading, and introduces them to new authors.   Aretha McFarlane, director of operations at the National Solid Waste Management Authority gets a hug from Gabrielle Louza while she spent time with children at Kingsway Prep and Kindergarten in St Andrew.   Access Financial Services Senior Business Loans Officer Danielle Anderson gets into character with students at Josephine Glasspole Basic School in Rollington Town, St Andrew.   Children’s author Nicolette “Aunty Niki” Peterkin keeps the students at Melrose Primary School spellbound during the exciting Read Across Jamaica Day festivities hosted by the Supreme Ventures Foundation.   Reading When the Sun and the Moon Ran Away by Maizle Goulbourne, Salada Foods General Manager Tammi Brown has the students of Jebb Memorial Basic School’s full attention. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)   Learning and development manager at Sandals Montego Bay, Shanique Cunningham, gets help from these two little fairies as she reads for students at Chetwood Memorial Primary School.   Salada Foods General Manager Tamii Brown (right) listens to little readers Quaran Farguhson (left) and Kyoneea Pandohie at Jebb Memorial Basic School. Salada Foods gifted students a new play area in the form of a multipurpose bowling alley made from recycled materials, and teachers were feted with gifts in honour of Teacher’s Day which was celebrated on Wednesday. (Photo: Aston Spalding) Source: Jamaica Observer  

‘Give us a seat’

Salada boss calls for collaboration on growing coffee industry General Manager of Salada Foods Tamii Brown said her company is refocusing to push its products deeper into both the local and export market, but said that ambition is stifled by inadequate supply of coffee from farmers in Jamaica. Salada Foods processes mostly coffee but has branched out into ginger and ginger-turmeric products. Brown, who did not offer a growth target either locally or internationally for her company’s products, citing that “it is more complex than that”, however said if she is to attain the potential of Salada Foods the company must have a seat at the table of decision-makers when policies are developed for the coffee industry. “When we talk about the fact that Salada and Jamaica are actively looking at improving our exports…we have to look at where our export growth is going to come from,” Brown told the Jamaica Observer in an interview last week. “You cannot break into export without having a product that is competitive on a global scale. You can’t come in and say, ‘Because I have a Jamaican stamp on a product… all consumers are going to come and rush to it and be able to pay a premium price.’ No, consumers are more discerning that,” she continued. She explained that with the regulators stipulating that at least 30 per cent of all coffee blends must have Jamaican coffee, whether high mountain or Blue Mountain, the company is stifled because the quantities are not available. “How do processors survive in the medium term when regulations are put in place that cannot be complied with?” she asked rhetorically. “I think that we need to operate just like all other industries. In the immediate term we need to look at some supplementing of supplies…,” she continued. “There are times where — maybe because of inconsistency of supply, maybe because of straight out unavailability of supply — it becomes very challenging for processors to meet that requirements.” Brown, however, said she is not calling for any wholesale opening up for coffee imports, but is looking for collaboration in terms of the solution. “We want a seat at the table. As the only processor of instant coffee in the island, what we want our regulators [to do] is point us in the direction [of a solution]. Salada Foods is a guaranteed purchaser of coffee in Jamaica.” he said the long-term solution is growing more coffee, pointing out that her company has engaged farmers through the Jamaica Coffee Growers Association to help to boost yields. For now though the company is engaged in innovation, developing new products, and targeting new markets. At 65 years old Brown said it’s very easy for companies like Salada, which have legacy brands and mature brands, to get comfortable and complacent. “However, you have to remember: Just like how time evolves, you have a target consumer base that also evolves — and if we as a company don’t keep up to date with that evolution, the company will not swim. And I think that sitting in the seat as general manager, that reality has really come to the fore. What will Salada have to do now to safeguard the next 65 years?” To swim, the company has been innovating with the introduction of new products. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic it introduced ginger powder and ginger-turmeric powder to the portfolio. Brown said both did well and continue to do well, with Jamaicans getting more health conscious. The company also added flavoured coffee to the line-up with the introduction of coconut cappucino, caramel, and cinnameg coffees to cater to the tastes of a new generation. “We have some new things coming out very shortly,” she said but declined to tell the Business Observer what those products are. Turning to growth, she continued, “You can grow it by adding new products but then you also grow by filling in the distribution holes, so that’s kind of where we are for the domestic market.” Brown also declined to give a breakdown of the share of Salada’s products which are exported versus how much remain in the domestic market, though she admitted the domestic market accounts for “the lion’s share of sales”. “What we’re doing this year, which I will share with you, is that we are looking at the Caricom footprint, just trying to keep close in our neighbourhood, and we have been making some significant breakthroughs as it relates to our current progress.” Brown said the company’s products are “barely in Caricom”, adding, “We were previously in a few markets. You would find us in British Virgin Islands, you would find us in Bermuda and Cayman, [but] they were just sprinklings. We never took it on aggressively.” She however said the company is seeing the region as a “significant area for growth”. “We’re going into Antigua. We already are in Barbados; what we’re looking for [is to] define our base in Barbados. And we’re also looking to St Lucia.” Salada Foods sent its first shipment of products into Antigua just last week. On the export side, the US is Salada Foods’ biggest market outside of Jamaica. “A lot of times somebody would say, ‘Yeah man, I am in the US.’ But what does that really mean when you said that you’re in the US? Sometimes when you talk about getting into an export market, maybe [it’s] just one account that you’re in. When Salada says that we are in an export market, that’s not what we’re talking about; we’re talking about our presence should be as good as our domestic market or even better. So it does require that we work on markets just like what we worked on here so we speak to our customer accounts and we make sure that our presence is strong in each of these accounts. And though she said the products are doing well in the US, Brown added, “I don’t think that we’re scraping the surface of those markets. And

Grounds for Growth initiative gives small coffee farmers boost

Salada Foods Jamaica and the Jamaica Coffee Growers Association (JCGA) joined forces to launch a coffee sustainability initiative — Grounds for Growth. The initiative focuses on repurposing Salada’s manufacturing bi-products into optimal organic fertilising material to cost-effectively improve the yield of local coffee farmers. The Grounds for Growth initiative launched with a hands-on workshop on a coffee farm in Cedar Valley, St Thomas, on Friday, March 10, 2023. The group of local small farmers participated in interactive demonstrations on sustainable farming practices, including composting using spent coffee grounds for improved yields. “We learned a lot of things like how to test soil and how to make organic fertiliser using coffee grounds and other organic material,” explained a local small farmer Kemar O’Connor. Organic farmer and Jamaica Coffee Growers Association (JCGA) Vice-President Dorienne Rowan-Campbell emphasised that, “our innovation activity provides training for younger farmers in what we call our generation next project. This is important because, if we don’t reach the younger farmers, we won’t have any coffee.” “This workshop is the beginning of something great to come in partnership with Salada,” asserted JCGA President Donald Salmon. The collaboration of Salada and JCGA on Grounds for Growth was a natural one given their shared commitment to the development of the local coffee industry. Salmon outlined that farmers faced several challenges including access to education on best practices. “Farmers need to understand that it is not how much land you have, but how efficiently you use that land,” he added. “We are experimenting: Salada, the University of the West Indies, the University of Technology. We are exploring how we can use spent grounds to reduce the cost of fertiliser, reduce the cost of input to the farmers, and show them new ways of doing things.” Salada Foods Jamaica General Manager Tamii Brown is optimistic about the partnership and the impact it may have on the viability of the local coffee industry. “Salada Foods is one of Jamaica’s largest coffee processing plants, and we are acutely aware of the challenges coffee farmers face in cultivating this beloved agricultural product. The viability of the industry requires innovation, collaboration and action. We have joined forces with the JCGA to explore innovative ways the coffee bean can offer growth from the farm to the processing plant and then back to the farm. Through this collaboration, we will support a cleaner, greener Jamaica where coffee farmers, in particular, spend less to nourish their farms and enhance the quality and quantity of production,” Brown confirmed. Local supply permitting, Salada processes instant coffee three to four times each year. At each process run, the Salada plant generates, as a bi-product, 240,000 pounds of spent grounds on average. Salada is the only local entity producing spent coffee grounds at scale for the farming community. Prior to the Grounds for Growth Initiative, Salada spent well over $1 million per process run on disposal for spent coffee grounds —from plant removal, to gathering, to transportation and discarding. To facilitate the Grounds for Growth initiative, Salada engages in additional activities including drying, bagging and delivery. Though more costly, using the grounds for compost fertiliser brings remarkable benefits for all concerned. Farmers can ethically and cost effectively substitute imported chemical fertilisers with locally sourced, organic spent grounds in compost for fertiliser. With immediate effect, through the JCGA, the farmers can purchase a 100lb bag of spent grounds for $850.00 while stocks last. The delegation at the free, all-day workshop also included representatives from the University of Technology, Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, and the St Thomas Jamaica Agricultural Society. Salada Foods Jamaica has been a proud Jamaican coffee processing industry member since 1958. The Kingston-based manufacturer is the only soluble coffee processing plant in the English-speaking Caribbean. Under its flagship brand Jamaica Mountain Peak, Salada Foods continues to provide tasty, convenient coffee products at an affordable price for consumers on the go. The recently launched Jamaica Mountain Peak 3in1 flavoured coffee trio: Cinnameg, Caramel and Coconut Cappuccino are now available in stores islandwide. Source: Jamaica Observer