Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer

LINSTEAD, St Catherine:

THE JAMAICA Cultural Development Commission's eastern regional manager, David Reid, said now is an opportune time for the nation to encourage Jamaicans across the globe to eat Jamaican produce whenever possible.

"Our farmers' livelihood is at stake, our country's gross domestic product is at stake, our economy is at stake. The more of us eating Jamaican will save or create a job in agriculture and the spin-off industries - reconstructing the economic society and life of Jamaica," Reid said.

He was speaking at the launch of the Linstead Development Area Committee's Ackee and Jerk Festival poster competition, at the Social Development Commission complex in Spanish Town, St Catherine, recently.

ackee and jerk festival

The inaugural competition targets primary school students in St Catherine. Contestants' entries must depict an understanding of the theme 'Ackee and Jerk: Community Integration from Wi Hand to Wi Belly' also the theme for this year's ackee and jerk festival.

"Your task is to bring out in your works of art, an understanding of the process of community integration; from the farmers toiling with their hands, to the consumers feeding on the products and by-products," Reid advised the students.

While the competition aims to create awareness about the ackee and jerk festival first held in 2005, primarily among students, parents and teachers, Brian Perry, Linstead Development Area Committee chairman, noted other objectives.

"We want to encourage children at an early age to participate in community activities, as well as to provide an avenue for them to develop their creative abilities. Judging will be done using five criteria - theme depiction, creativity of design, originality of design, neatness/craftsmanship and adherence to rule," said Perry.

The winners will be announced at the Linstead Ackee and Jerk Festival, which will be held on Heroes Day, October 15 in the Linstead square starting at 10 a.m. The main attraction will be the crowning of Miss Linstead Ackee and Jerk Festival Queen 2012.

rural@gleanerjm.com