Consumers Urged to Shop Around for Best Food Prices

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is advising consumers to shop around in order to get the best prices for produce during the Christmas period and to make use of the municipal markets.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank last week, the agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Dolsie Allen, said that the break in the supply chain for some crops due to the impact of recent heavy rains could push up prices.

“We know because of the unfavourable weather we had recently that a lot of our vegetables are not as readily available,” she pointed out.

She said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has assured that it is monitoring the situation and will be taking measures to ensure that Jamaicans have sufficient food supplies for Christmas.

“So we should not be totally out but you must plan differently to ensure that you can have the food items you want. You can also use alternatives such as canned foods,” she suggested.

The Agriculture Ministry has indicated that there are adequate supplies of tubers (yam, sweet potato) and meat, with chicken production at the highest level that the country has ever seen.

The heavy rains caused significant damage to tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and cabbage.

Meanwhile, the Director of Communications at the CAC, Latoya Halstead, is urging consumers to be vigilant about food safety.

“Make sure that what needs to be on ice stays on ice, what needs to be kept warm is warm because you don’t want an outbreak of any illnesses this Christmas because you didn’t store your food properly,” she advised, noting that vegetables and fruits should be properly washed.

The CAC is the national agency responsible for consumer advocacy. For further information, persons can call 876-906-5425 or email info@cac.gov.jm.