By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 1st July 2021) — Discussions are currently taking place within the Ministry of Social Services on the topic of providing healthier food options to recipients of food packages, with a view to simultaneously supporting local farmers. Permanent Secretary Janelle Lewis-Tafari shared details at the NEOC COVID-19 Daily Briefing on Wednesday 30th June 2021.
As of 29th June 2021, 471 households had benefitted from the Social Services food assistance programme. Of these, 302 were in quarantine or isolation and 169 had heads who were either unemployed or had reduced income. Lewis-Tafari said the ministry had recently met with representatives from NEMA, Agriculture and People Empowerment to discuss “how we can provide healthier food options to recipients of the food packages and at the same time support our local farmers.” The Ministry of Tourism has also discussed including fruits from the Eco Park in packages. The St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board committed to providing 1,250 food vouchers valued at $200 each to households not currently receiving assistance from the food voucher programme or the poverty alleviation programme. The Rotary Club of St. Kitts donated a substantial amount of food items on Monday 28th June. To register for assistance, persons can call 662-7710, 662-6473, 662-5539 and 662-5993. Members of the Spanish-speaking community are also welcomed, as staff fluent in Spanish are available.