Charlestown, Nevis (July 22, 2007)
The consumption of local Nevis fruit will be top on the Department of Agriculture’s agenda, when it stages its second annual Nevis Fruit Festival at the Villa in Charlestown on July 26, 2007.
The event which is expected to commence from 10am to 5pm follows the Department’s successful inaugural Fruit Festival in 2007 and the first ever Mango Festival in the Organisation of East Caribbean States (OECS) staged in 2005.
Communications Officer for the Department Mr Eric Evelyn told the Department of Information recently, that though the activity was designed to showcase the versatility of the fruits cultivated on Nevis and the many products that could be derived from them, the Festival would also indulge in the culinary skills available, a new twist he noted that would be added to Festival.“This year the Department has also organised a competition in three categories ““ Ice cream, Fruit and Smoothie. Locals are encouraged to put together their special recipes using local fruits to win the hearts of the judges. Persons can submit as many entries as they wish in the different categories,” he said
Mr. Evelyn explained that the Festival came at a time when there was an abundance of fruits; however, the focus would be on mangoes, watermelon, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, carambola (star apple), wax apple, papaya, soursop and sugar apple.
“We are hoping to showcase the number of dishes and drinks that can be made from our locally grown fruits. We are all accustomed to eating the fruits fresh but it is always interesting to try new products made from fresh fruit. We are also hoping to encourage persons to consume more fruits and to plant more fruit trees,” he said.
According to the Communications Officer, Fruits will also be offered for sale and the Nevis Agro Processors will also be on hand to showcase their products.
In a bid to sell the event to the Nevisian public, Mr. Evelyn said that the Festival would be one with learning experiences and entertainment and lunch would also be available at reasonable prices.