KSAMC Teams Up with HEART/NSTA Trust to Train and Certify Food Vendors
In response to a recent incident of unsanitary practices by a food vendor in Kingston, the Kingston and Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has partnered with the HEART/NSTA Trust to offer training and certification for food vendors in the area. The aim is to enhance professionalism and ensure the safe preparation and handling of food for public consumption.
The training program, proposed by the HEART/NSTA Trust, is set to commence within the next couple of weeks, with Crab Circle vendors being the first to undergo the training. Mayor of Kingston Senator Delroy Williams expressed the importance of properly training street food vendors, stating that it would contribute to public safety and enhance the overall professionalism of food preparation.
The incident that triggered this response involved a video that circulated widely, showing a female vendor at Crab Circle engaging in unsanitary behavior in an area where food is prepared for public consumption. Health inspectors and the KSAMC promptly ordered the closure of the popular street-side eatery and performed sanitization work. Additionally, the health ministry mandated the installation of portable toilets and the acquisition of food handler’s permits before the facility can be reopened.
The upcoming training program will not be limited to Crab Circle vendors alone but will also target food vendors in other areas across the municipality where street food is commonly prepared. This includes places such as the Harbour View roundabout, Red Hills Road jerk area, and Molynes Road. These longstanding street food operations have become popular gathering spots over the years and have established their own unique brands.
The five-day training program will involve both theoretical and practical aspects, with vendors required to prepare meals that will be assessed for compliance with proper food handling and preparation standards. Successful completion of the assessment will result in certification for the vendors. Mayor Williams emphasized the importance of ongoing monitoring and continuous education, suggesting that the vendors will be encouraged to participate in refresher courses offered by the HEART Trust in order to further enhance their operations.
The ultimate goal of this partnership between the KSAMC and HEART/NSTA Trust is to raise the standards of street food operations in Kingston and Jamaica as a whole. While acknowledging the limitations of infrastructure in street-side vending, efforts will be made to improve the overall conditions in spaces like Crab Circle. The issue of bathroom facilities is currently being assessed, with a focus on determining the functionality of existing private arrangements within the Fletcher’s Land community.
As for the reopening of Crab Circle, Mayor Williams could not provide a definite timeline. However, he assured the public that the space will only be reopened once the training is completed and both the Public Health Department and the KSAMC are satisfied that the necessary standards have been met.
With this collaborative effort, the KSAMC and HEART/NSTA Trust aim to ensure that street food vendors in the municipality adhere to the highest standards of food handling and preparation. By promoting professionalism and safe practices, they seek to not only protect public health but also support the success of these vendors and the employment opportunities they provide.
