THE EDITOR, Sir:

THIS IS in response to Mr Golding's "eat what we grow" statement. I am a Jamaican living in the United States (US) and I visit Jamaica a few times a year. However, on my most recent visit, I noticed even local street vendors are selling American products and fruits. This was strange to me. I wanted Jamaican fruits and vegetables and it was hard to find, except in certain supermarkets uptown.

Appreciate local produce

I must say grocery shopping in America is pleasing because of the new Jamaican produce and products I find. I eat more foods imported from Jamaica than American foods. My grocery list consists of green banana, yellow yam, sweet potato, cassava, coco, bammy, breadfruit and countless Grace products. Jamaicans need to appreciate what they have in Jamaica because we in the US would love to have some fresh callaloo, ackee, yams and young green bananas, straight from the farm, rather than the canned foods we have to buy.

Growing up in Jamaica in the late '80s early '90s, I can remember the anticipation of the season your favourite fruit is in. In America, every fruit is in the supermarket all year round as scientists are manipulating fruits to bear year round.

I am, etc.,

SIDONIE SUER

thesuers@optonline.net

50 Fernwood Rd

Maplewood, NJ

Via Go-Jamaica