Salada Foods Jamaica and JCGA launch ‘Grounds for Growth’ initiative to support local coffee farmers

Salada Foods Jamaica Limited and the Jamaica Coffee Growers Association (JCGA) have partnered to launch a coffee sustainability initiative called ‘Grounds for Growth’. The project aims to repurpose Salada’s manufacturing byproducts into organic fertilizer material to cost-effectively improve the yield of local coffee farmers. The initiative was launched with a hands-on workshop on a coffee farm in Cedar Valley, St Thomas, where a group of local small farmers participated in interactive demonstrations on sustainable farming practices. The farmers were taught about composting using spent coffee grounds to improve yields and other organic materials. Dorienne Rowan-Campbell, JCGA vice president, emphasised the importance of training younger farmers through their Generation Next project, stating that without reaching younger farmers, there would be no coffee. JCGA president Donald Salmon also expressed his optimism about the partnership and its potential to address the challenges facing farmers. Tamii Brown, Salada Foods Jamaica general manager, expressed her optimism about the partnership, noting that the viability of the local coffee industry requires innovation, collaboration, and action. Brown confirmed that through this collaboration, they will support a cleaner, greener Jamaica, where coffee farmers spend less to nourish their farms and enhance the quality and quantity of production. Salada is the only local entity able to produce spent coffee grounds at scale for the farming community, generating an average of 240,000 pounds of spent grounds from each process run. Prior to the Grounds for Growth Initiative, Salada spent well over $1 million per process run on disposal for spent coffee grounds. To facilitate the initiative, Salada engages in additional activities such as drying, bagging, and delivery. Through the JCGA, farmers can purchase a 100lb bag of spent grounds for $850.00 while stocks last. This allows farmers to ethically and cost-effectively substitute imported chemical fertilizers with locally sourced, organic spent grounds in compost for fertilizer. The free, all-day workshop was attended by representatives from the University of Technology, Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority, Tourism Enhancement Fund, and St Thomas Jamaica Agricultural Society. Salada Foods Jamaica has been a proud member of the Jamaican coffee processing industry since 1958, providing affordable and convenient coffee products under its flagship brand Jamaica Mountain Peak. Source: Our Today

Tamii Brown, General Manager of Salada Foods Jamaica Limited

Tamii Brown is an outcome-oriented individual with over 17 years of experience in marketing, leadership and export management and is the current general manager of Salada Foods Jamaica Limited. Brown holds a bachelor of arts in communication studies and Spanish (cum laude) from York University and an MBA from the University of the West Indies. “Blessed with the opportunity to serve at the helm of one of Jamaica’s leading manufacturing companies, I strive to create a space where voices adding value are heard and not overshadowed. At work, I encourage collaborative decision-making, multi-level team huddles and maintain a strict open-door policy. Women are underrepresented globally in the manufacturing industry. Gender diversity can never be understated – it is a core ingredient for innovation. Future-proofing the local manufacturing industry requires us to innovate and to challenge the norms, as needed,” she shared. “Men and women are neither better nor worse… we are just different. One example is we tend to listen differently. Our recent product innovations – the flavoured coffees – were a direct result of listening to our consumers. Our women-led innovation and marketing teams were in tune with consumer needs, open to candid feedback, and were empowered to formulate an innovative product line to the ultimate delight of our consumers.” Source: Observer

Tamii Brown rises to the occasion

When Tamii Brown was appointed as general manager of one of Jamaica’s leading manufacturers in 2022 she was well prepared. Brown, who was employed with Salada Foods Jamaica Limited for five years was excited at the prospect of a new challenge. Backed by a simple, but strategic plan for tackling each day, Brown’s first year in the role saw Salada Foods report record numbers. Notably, operating profit improved and the stakeholder payout was the highest the listed company has seen. The appointment is a great honour to Brown who previously filled the capacity of commercial and corporate affairs manager at local manufacturing giant, Salada Foods. Reflecting on the growth she experienced throughout her career, Brown recalled her first introduction to the working world. “My first job was at a sandwich shop called Mr Sub in Toronto. I was on the assembly line, where I started at the front of adding on the condiments and later graduated to the end of the assembly line where I was entrusted to cut, review and finally bag the sandwiches.” After learning the skills at Mr Sub and completing her first degree in communication studies and Spanish, Brown walked away with a York University Bachelor of Arts ( cum laude) degree to land herself a role as a business development manager at an information technology boutique firm in Jamaica. After a few managerial roles and an MBA later, Brown landed at Salada Foods with over 12 years of experience in marketing, leadership, and export management. Brown credits her career progress to her guiding principles which are heavily influenced by her formative years with her parents. “As in all my roles, both personally and professionally, I hold on to the principle of working for God and not for others. Colossians 3: 23-24 suggests that we hold on to a high standard regardless of who we report to, and I strive to live by that,” Brown shared. “Another principle I learned recently, from my sister no less, is that of cumulative efficiency, giving yourself some grace that on some days you may not hit the mark, but each new day brings new opportunities to make a mark,” she added. The wife and mother of two is also a proud believer in teamwork and collaboration. Buoyed by what she considers to be “the best team” she is also a firm believer in self-actualisation. Her key tip for productivity is setting and communicating clear goals. “I find that a lot of unmet expectations of myself and others stem from a lack of clarity. If I’m not clear on what I’m trying to achieve or others are not clear about a shared vision the results are usually less than desirable. So, I always aim for clarity. I declutter the messaging and break the big pieces of a project into smaller more palatable bites and it tends to work because starting from a place of clarity allows us to see that an overwhelming project is in fact achievable.” Brown is prepared for another year with an empowered mind, and her advice for those who want to follow suit is simple. “Our minds are powerful. Once you can visualise achieving an outcome, the odds are you will achieve this outcome.” Source: The Gleaner / Flair Magazine  

Salada working to reduce carbon footprint….one plastic bottle at a time

Known as a roasted coffee company for more than 60 years, Salada Foods Jamaica Limited is moving to reduce its carbon footprint and in the process achieve a bonus of overall improved efficiencies in its operations. The company recently joined the Recycles Partners of Jamaica (RPJ) network of businesses which collect plastic bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), both of which are derived from petroleum and whose appeal for manufacturers lies in the fact that they can easily be shaped into bottles and containers for packaging foods and beverages, personal-care products, and many other consumer products. When The Gleaner team visited the factory at 20 Bell Road, off Spanish Town Road, Kingston, General Manager Tamii Brown and Quality Assurance Manager Nadine Francis were excited to share the progress Salada has made since getting involved just about two months ago. In addition to a metal cage for storing the bottles, the company also has 55-gallon capacity drums at strategic locations, such as the entrance to the canteen. “Our focus this year has just been on efficiency, in how can me do things better, including in our plant. How do we address the issue of waste management, how can we be a little cleaner with our approach?” Brown asked. “It’s making sure that as a corporate entity when we look behind, that footprint is something that we can be proud about.” Francis had for years been looking for a way to reduce the negative impact of the many plastic bottles she saw in her work environment, given the potential for pollution when they got out into the solid waste stream. “We do use a lot of bottles because we have a canteen and we were just putting the bottles in any bin, throwing them away and the thought came to me that there must be a more-structured approach to the collection and disposal of this product which becomes an environmental hazard once it is discarded,” she told The Gleaner. Francis contacted RPJ after seeing one of their television advertisements and was pleasantly surprised to find that they would provide the cage, on condition that Salada would do the maintenance for it. Once the cage is almost 75 per cent filled, Salada advises RPJ, and a pick-up follows within 5-7 days, by which time it is nearing capacity. The initiative has caught on so well that workers are encouraged to bring their drink bottles from home, but things weren’t always so smooth in the beginning, according to Francis. “At first, it was a bit challenging to get everybody to remember to put the bottles in a specific bin. Some persons were also depositing other materials in it,” he said. So to reinforce the message, notices were placed beside the bins reminding staff of their purpose. This is part of much bigger plan to get Salada on to a path of sustainable environmental activism and practices, Brown pointed out. “We are trying to be more action-oriented and one of our major initiatives in terms of our plant and production is waste management. Just doing cleaner manufacturing, reducing our waste, be better stewards of our resources. We are moving to engender a kind of culture among our staff to get the necessary support in terms of our corporate social responsibility. “We have to make sure that whatever talk we [are] talking, we [are] walking it as well,” Brown added. She and the rest of the management team are convinced that with enough corporate buy-in, initiatives like the one at Bell Road will redound to the national good. “Once you show people the connection between what they do and the likely impact on the food chain, this usually evokes a commitment to change.”

Senior citizen runner Roy Thomas to be honoured tomorrow

Plans are well advanced to honour Roy Thomas, one of the island’s oldest road runners, at the Father’s Day Everyone’s a Winner/The Best Dressed Chicken (EAW/BDC) 3K and 5K family races to be held at Hope Gardens tomorrow. According to Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis, race director, the 95-year-old runner has been among the oldest participants in many of the road races all across Jamaica. “He remains an inspiration to many of us who have embraced this healthy sporting lifestyle,” said Francis. Francis said among the highlights of this year’s EAW/BDC race will be teams vying for the Roy Thomas Trophy. UCT Steppas running club won the inaugural Roy Thomas Award in 2018 and again in 2019. However, this race event did not take place in 2020 or 2021. Among the race teams vying this year for the Roy Thomas trophy will be Bank of Jamaica, Express Fitness, Fitness Warriors, Fraser Fontaine & Kong, Immeasurable Joy, Jamdammers, Legends, Pacers Running Club, Rainforest Caribbean, The Best Dressed Chicken, Trainfit Mile Chasers, UCT Steppas and ZS Medullan. INDIVIDUAL MEDALS Francis noted that on race day, all participants will receive individual medals and the top three father and child duo, in both the 3K and 5K races, will be awarded special trophies. There will also be prizes of free passes to Hope Zoo for the fastest children, under 12 who across the finish line, in addition to trophies for the overall male and female winners in first, second and third places. Other prizes will include sponsor’s Express Fitness’s offer to registered participants who buy a membership card with their dad, to get another membership free and three-day passes to the fitness club. All participants will receive a breakfast option, while the event’s major partner, the Best Dressed Chicken, will provide a special treat for fathers. Bella Oasis Spa will offer massages to runners post-race and the Heart Foundation of Jamaica will be carry out health checks onsite. Catherine’s Peak will keep runners hydrated. Salada Foods will be on location to serve Mountain Peak coffee, while Pure Country will offer a variety of juices to refresh the runners. Local gospel sensation Jermaine Edwards will entertain. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20220618/senior-citizen-runner-roy-thomas-be-honoured-tomorrow

Jamaica Mountain Peak got some new flavour!

A cup of cappuccino or ‘cinnameg’-flavoured coffee may be closer than you think with Jamaica Mountain Peak’s new line of flavoured coffee. Hot on the heels of a record financial performance, Salada Foods Jamaica through its Jamaica Mountain Peak (JMP) brand, has some news that will perk up consumers. Drawing inspiration from the Jamaican phrase, “I feel for supmn’ nice”, the flavoured coffee line features a three-in-one line of infused coffee flavours so many love and adore. From the unique blend of cinnamon and nutmeg – aptly dubbed Cinnameg to more popular options like the Coconut Cappuccino and Caramel, each 24-gram sachet combines instant coffee, creamer and cane sugar for a delightful sip. Touting unique flavours and ultra-convenience as key drivers for the popularity of its products among its top consumers, Salada is continuing its plan for strategic portfolio diversification. “Our dedication to engaging with our consumers on a frequent basis has given us a clear blueprint of how to proceed. Our consumers want more. More flavour, more excitement, more variety. Our new line of flavoured products delivers just that! A rich taste that delivers the familiar ‘punch’ of caffeine with warm and delectable flavours,” explained Salada General Manager Tamii Brown. Salada plans to maintain relevance by consistently fulfilling the needs of its consumers with cupfuls of flavour in convenient, travel size packets. In the past financial year, the company’s revenues grew by 11.5% to $1.19 billion which yielded a net profit of $156.8 million. Source: Loop

Salada launches new flavoured coffee products

Coffee company Salada Foods Jamaica Limited, producer of the Jamaica Mountain Peak brand, is entering the flavoured coffee market. General Manager Tamii Brown unveiled three flavours — Cinnameg, a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg flavours; Coconut Cappuccino, and Caramel — at the company’s annual general meeting on Thursday, saying the new product line is aimed at young business professionals looking for variety in their coffee consumption. Brown, who was recently named general manager of Salada Foods, said the company will continue its focus on creating desirable products. “We need to create products that are geared towards our market and the only way we can do that is through frequent engagement with our consumers and target markets,” she said in her maiden address to shareholders of the instant coffee processing company, giving a nod to the recent use of focus groups in developing the line of flavoured coffees. A film clip showed the Salada team visiting Taylor Hall at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies. The company has sought in the past to engage with university students as a means of product promotion, though sampling. Speaking to the Financial Gleaner on the sidelines of the meeting, Brown said student engagement through study night sessions has been an important initiative in Salada’s marketing efforts, but that having them as part of product development was breaking new ground. “This has been the first time that we directly included these tertiary students in our product development processes. The candid feedback was refreshing and is being used to innovate and craft segments of our portfolio going forward,” she said. Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Jamaica National Children’s Home Receives $500,000 From Salada Foods To Help Rebuild After The Fire

Kingston, Jamaica: The Jamaica National Children’s Home (JNCH) has received $500,000 from Salada Foods Jamaica to assist with its rebuilding efforts following a fire last August. The home housed 41 boys and girls between ages seven and 18. In expressing gratitude for the donation, Director of the JNCH, Nadeen Waugh said the funds will help to rebuild the home. She said the goal is to start reconstruction this year, so the children can resettle into a more comfortable facility. No timeline has been given for the completion, which is estimated to cost approximately $150 million.  “We want to say a big thank you to Salada and we are so happy that corporate Jamaica is still supporting and still remembers us after six months,” Waugh said. General Manager at Salada Foods, Dianna Blake-Bennett said the donation is part of Salada’s continued efforts to rise up and support the care and development of the nation’s youth.

Salada Helps Jebb Memorial Basic School Stay Connected With $1.5mil Donation

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Salada Foods Jamaica on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 distributed $1.5 million in donation to the Jebb Memorial Basic School, in a substantial effort to help teachers and students stay connected and better navigate the challenges in the transition from virtual to face-to face learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spanish Town Road-based Basic School received 45 tablets to support students’ online learning, hand washing sink, sanitizer dispensers and three laptops for teachers to aid the learning process. Internet connectivity at the school is also included in Salada’s donation. The coffee and tea manufacturer has also committed to assist Jamaica Save the Children, the charitable organization that owns the school with the payment of salaries for the teachers at Jebb Memorial for an initial period of six months. 

Salada Foods Brews New Hope For Paraplegic Student Tiffany Thomas

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The tumultuous journey for Tiffany Thomas to secure a starter home came to a joyous end courtesy of Salada Foods Jamaica in partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFTP) on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The 21-year-old paraplegic student has a resilient spirit that came to the fore at the 2019 launch of the FFTP 5K. The details of her living conditions shocked many in attendance. “So my living conditions before today, I was always homeless. From I was 14 until when I was 17 that I actually got my first house to live in. It wasn’t a lot at the time but in the past few years it has been deteriorating,” the new homeowner, Tiffany Thomas said at the handover. “The situation got continually worse. Each time it rains it floods; the whole place would get wet, my books, my school bag, and my bed. I didn’t have a bathroom, the same place I eat that’s where I use my bathroom.” “I had to just try my best to not think about it too much and just live life until one of my classmates offered to come to my house. I was too ashamed to let them come, but they insisted. They came and they didn’t like it at all. They went to my principal at Trench Town Polytechnic College — Dr. Dosseth Edwards-Watson — and they spoke to her.  That’s how Food for the Poor came on board,” Thomas detailed. Over a year later, her dreams of a safe place to lay her head were achieved through Salada Foods. Tamii Brown, Commercial and Corporate Affairs Manager at Salada Foods recalled the day she heard about Thomas’ plight. “We were at the Food for the Poor 5K launch in 2019 and as a partner with FFP Jamaica, we were immediately moved when Tiffany spoke of her circumstances. Her sunny personality didn’t fit her circumstances; it was just a beautiful sight to behold. Salada went to the launch with one intention, but we were immediately moved to activate our Salada mantra: ‘Rise Up and Support Jamaica’.” The call to her general manager, Dianna Blake Bennett, was met with swift support. “I was told about Tiffany and that she really needed some help and we have done it for this young lady who needs to be lifted up,” Blake Bennett said. She shared that the opportunity to hand over the company’s gift gave her goose pimples. “It is important, and more so especially now, that as corporate citizens we look out for those of us that are vulnerable that really and truly need help.” Salada Foods contributed US$3,800 for the home. The corporate entity also gifted Tiffany with kitchen appliances and products as well as a sustainable vegetable garden in partnership with Hardware and Lumber to improve her food security. Land Matters It took over one year to find approved land and it took less than 24 hours to build and semi-outfit her new home. Her house by great fortune is located in the same community, which has supported her for years and at the end of the same road where she resides. Kivette Silvera, executive director of Food for the Poor said Tiffany’s situation showcases the need for land. “Food For The Poor has always said there is a land issue when we have so many individuals who are in need, but then there is no land. When you think about it, somebody who is poor does not necessarily have the access to the property. In Tiffany’s situation, we were able to work with the councilors and the Ministry to ensure that they provided us with the necessary land documents so we were able to build this house. Silvera continued: “This is very significant for us because many people would say I have applied to Food for the Poor for a house, but if they do not have the land, unfortunately, we can’t help them. So, this is very significant that we were able to get the house built for Tiffany through the sponsorship of Salada.” The ecstatic, overwhelmed, and happy could hardly hold back tears as the keys to her dwelling were handed over. “I finally have the opportunity to just not get wet and have a bathroom and have a shower. I’m happy for the people here that come to show that Jamaica is really a positive, fun-loving place. People out there are caring,” she said. “I want people to know that life goes on no matter how bad your living or family condition is, anything at all — life goes on. You just have to do what you have to do until better days come along.”