Pour in the eggs - New boost for nutri-buns in school-feeding programme come September

The long-announced plan to introduce liquid eggs as a substitute for imported butter oil in the making of nutri-buns for the school-feeding programme is set to be rolled out at the start of the next school year.

Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke recently told Parliament that the Cabinet has approved the project.

The Sunday Gleaner has since confirmed that it's all systems go for Nutrition Products Limited (NPL) to begin using the liquid eggs in its making of nutri-buns.

The eggs are produced at the only liquid egg plant in the Caribbean, located at the Montego Bay, St James-based headquarters of Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited (CPJ).

The sale of the product to the school-feeding programme is through Caribbean Egg Processors Limited, which is a joint initiative between Liquid Eggs Limited and CPJ.

Liquid Eggs Limited is the marketing arm of the Jamaica Egg Farmers Association (JEFA).

Former president and current vice-president of JEFA, Mark Campbell, says the inclusion of liquid egg in the school-feeding programme has been long in coming.

"We have been having discussions with all the stakeholders in school nutrition since the liquid eggs plant was established in 2007, and I am pleased that the product will be included in the nutri-buns come September.

"This will provide our children with a much healthier choice because research has shown that eggs provide for better brain stimulation and improved learning," argued Campbell.

The JEFA executive said farmers have invested heavily in research and development to highlight the nutritional benefits of eggs.

"This development has come at a high cost to egg farmers. We have taken the time and the effort to explore and highlight the health benefits to our children and we are confident that this move will be great for them.

"Also, it is significant because it will cut down the nation's medical bills going forward if we start to offer healthier eating options to the children from a tender age," added Campbell.

He commended the late Dr Heather Little-White for the pivotal role she played in the research which showed the many positives of eggs.

Commend egg farmers

Campbell said the egg farmers of Jamaica must be commended for their foresight in the setting up of the liquid egg production facility.

"We had that idea for such a long time, and the partnership with CPJ to build the plant in Montego Bay was a realisation of our dreams.

"The farmers are looking forward to the plant maximising its potential, and the introduction of the liquid eggs in the school-feeding programme will assist in this regard.

"It's a positive all around as the egg industry's viability will be further boosted while our children will be healthier. Everybody wins."

For his part, executive chairman of CPJ, Mark Hart, said his company is pleased to partner with the JEFA in the liquid egg business.

"The egg farmers must be commended for their energy, drive and commitment to keep the industry viable.

"The establishment of the region's only liquid egg plant is a result of their hard work and dedication to facilitate the diversification of egg use, and to cater to the wide-ranging needs of customers all across the island," said Hart.

He added: "The inclusion of liquid eggs in the school-feeding programme is another initiative which the egg farmers should be proud of."

According to Hart, the CPJ team will ensure that the facility continues to meet the needs of the hospitality industry, quick-service restaurants and local bakeries for high-quality and affordable pasteurised liquid eggs.

The plant produces in excess of 15 metric tons per month, with additional capacity to fully satisfy any further demand.