On Saturday 2 April, members from a wide cross-section of the Anguillian community flocked to Mount Fortune to celebrated with Salih Abdur Raheem on the launching of his new agricultural ground and marketplace: Sensational Flavours.
The project which had been in the works for over a decade is described as a new and unique business which provides a variety of fresh organic produce as well as caters for any event. The farmers-market like launching featured a number of booths stocked with a variety of fresh produce ready for sale as well as jams from ‘Anguilla’s Jammin’. “Sensational Flavours is the place where you can get fresh organic fruits and vegetables as well as local drinks, including a special avocado blend,” the team highlighted.
Raheem, who was a client of the Department of Youth and Culture’s Get Set Programme, described the business as a new model and concept of agricultural business which is very unique and innovative, not only to Anguilla but the wider Caribbean as well. The farm utilizes modern techniques such as black-ground covers, that can last up to an average of four years, and four-inch drip emitters throughout the entire two acre farm. Every Saturday customers will benefit from an immersive and organic experience where they will be able to purchase fresh produce from the farmer’s market set-up directly at the site. It is expected that this market feature will be expanded to other farmers in the future.
The event attracted the support of visitors from far afield including St. Maarten and a number of Government Officials including the Minister of Infrastructure, Communication, Utilities and Housing, Mr. Curtis Richardson, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mrs. Pam Webster, who all praised the initiative. Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool, Advisor in the Ministry of Agriculture, said there is currently work being done on legislation geared towards the development of Agriculture in Anguilla.
Chairperson of the event, Mr. Quincy Gumbs, made a call for all Anguillians to buy local as he reminisced on “a time when the East End community produced and fed itself”.
Mr. Raheem expressed gratitude to his team for assisting him through his trials and tribulations and for finally being able to launch Sensational Flavours. He specially thanked his mentors Mr. Maurice “Frankie” Lake and Hon. Pam Webster who: “encouraged and motivated me to stay focused and accomplish my dream although it was a dream over a decade old”. He also thanked everyone in attendance for coming out to support his initiative. Raheem ended by leaving a few words of encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs: “An entrepreneur is neither a fulltime job nor a part time job – it is a lifestyle. Build your own dreams.”
The launching ceremony was broadcast live on radio KLASS FM 92.9.
