Senior Citizens Show Off Creativity in Meal Preparation
By: April 10, 2025 ,The Full Story
Senior citizens showed off their creativity and ingenuity in meal preparation at a one-of-a-kind food sampling event dubbed ‘Mission MannaPack – Jamaican Style’ hosted by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) on Wednesday (April 8).
The event, held in partnership with Food For the Poor and Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), focused on the use of local herbs, vegetables and spices to enhance the MannaPack Rice meal provided through the Meals on Wheels Programme.
Meals on Wheels serves approximately 100 food-poor, shut-in older citizens in the Corporate Area and distributes monthly food packages to 500 needy seniors across the island.
The food-sampling event, which took place at the NCSC’s headquarters on West King’s House Road, Kingston, also celebrated the contributions of seniors to the community while promoting food security and healthy aging.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., who was in attendance, highlighted the importance of ensuring that seniors have access to nutritious food.
“Our seniors deserve to live with dignity, and access to nutritious food is a fundamental aspect of that dignity. This event also brings attention to the significant role of food security in promoting healthy aging,” he said.
He noted that the partnership with Food For the Poor and FMSC is “about more than just providing meals. It’s about empowering our senior citizens and promoting their well-being. By combining food security with creativity, we are ensuring that our seniors can enjoy both nutritious and culturally relevant meals”.
In addition to the sampling of Jamaican-style variations of the MannaPack Rice prepared by senior citizens, the event also included the launch of a recipe book, featuring the personalised recipes and illustrating how older Jamaicans are making the most of their resources to eat healthy on a budget.
A government organisation under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the NCSC is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older Jamaicans.
Through initiatives such as the Meals on Wheels Programme, the NCSC provides vital support to seniors, ensuring they have access to essential services, including food, healthcare, and social assistance.
The MannaPack Rice is a fortified rice meal developed by FMSC to provide a steady source of micronutrients to children and people who are malnourished, while also being culturally acceptable.