Seven Crops Project/Massy Stores Graduation Ceremony

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development continues to prioritize capacity building as they collaborate with Massy Stores and the Taiwan Technical Mission to host a training program on receiving and dispatching containers.

Another milestone has been achieved as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development, and the Taiwan Technical Mission through the Seven Crops Project, teamed up with Massy Stores to train 20 Massy Stores staff in the Receiving and Dispatch of Containers, setting a benchmark for food safety on the island.

Over a six-week program, participants were equipped with invaluable expertise that will not only uphold but further enhance quality and efficiency…

Director at Massy Stores, Anthony Bristol says this, will lead to increased consumer confidence in the safety and quality of food products. He expressed gratitude to the Agriculture Ministry and Taiwan Technical Mission for their support and assistance.

“For me, this is a truly significant achievement in partnership, bringing together all those people to collaborate for the betterment of our customers. The goal is to ensure better quality food, enhanced value, more effective stocking, leading to improved performance for our farmers, and ultimately fostering a stronger farming community and individual households.”

As part of the program, each participant received a comprehensive Food Safety Manual specifically tailored for Massy Stores. This manual, crafted by Euthalia Philgence, a distinguished food safety specialist, and one of the facilitators under this program, is designed to serve as an indispensable reference guide. Chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission Daniel Lee explains that these initiatives will assist Massy Stores staff in ensuring that food safety remains a top priority in their daily work, from the moment products arrive in containers to their final dispatch to customers.

“As we gather here today to celebrate the end of this training, I want you to know that this marks not the conclusion but rather a stepping stone for the continued growth of your staff members. I advise you to remain committed to learning, as you have demonstrated over the past weeks, recognizing that knowledge is power. The Taiwan ICDF, through the Taiwan Technical Mission, looks forward to continuing its support for you in the future.”

According to the Deputy Director of Agricultural Services, Kemuel Jn Baptist, this initiative stands as a shining example of cooperation, setting a remarkable standard for food safety in the Caribbean and beyond.

“The skills and knowledge acquired in the receiving and dispatching of containers are indispensable in ensuring that the food we produce and import is handled, stored, and distributed with the utmost care and adherence to international safety standards. As we move forward, our next focus will be on training regarding the receiving and handling of fresh produce at the buying depots in the north and south of the island, followed by HACCP standards for the Massy kitchen in food service.”

Mr Jn Baptist says these training initiatives cement the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development’s commitment to working with sector partners to strengthen the food security and safety framework within Saint Lucia.