Stakeholders Urged to Participate In SRC Food Production Workshops

Businesses, community groups and individuals seeking to strengthen their food production capabilities are being encouraged to take advantage of training workshops offered by the Scientific Research Council (SRC).

Team Leader of the SRC’s Food Product Development Unit, Dr. Grace-Ann Junor, says the workshops are open to a wide cross section of stakeholders, including restaurants, hotels, community organisations and educational institutions.

“The workshops are for everybody. If individuals or organisations have an interest in a specific area, we can tailor the training to meet their needs,” she told JIS News.

Dr. Junor explained that the SRC provides guidance in several key areas, including food product development, the use of food additives, minimal processing, and product standardisation.

She added that training sessions can be conducted either at the SRC’s facilities or on site at the requesting organisation’s location.

“If a restaurant or hotel wants to improve what they are offering, we can come into their facility and use the equipment they already have, since that is what they will continue using going forward,” Dr. Junor further stated.
The workshops are typically organised based on requests, allowing the SRC to tailor each session to the specific needs of participants.

Dr. Junor also highlighted that community groups, including church organisations and rehabilitation centres, stand to benefit significantly from the training.

“It is far-reaching. If communities want us, we can make ourselves available,” the Team Leader said.

She encourages members of the hospitality sector to seek the Council’s support in standardising food preparation practices to ensure consistency.

“A lot of times when you go to restaurants, the meals are not consistent. We want to help those sectors standardise their meals so that their business can grow,” Dr. Junor stated.

Interested persons may contact the Scientific Research Council at 876 927 1771 4 or email headoffice@src.gov.jm for more information on arranging a workshop.