BADMC Launches New Carmeta’s Outlet

BARBADOS:  Barbadians will soon have a new destination for home-grown produce and agro-processed foods.
Divisional Head of Agribusiness at the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC), Ann-Marie King, has revealed that the new Carmeta’s Farm & Factory Outlet will be opened on Friday, April 29.
The new Carmeta’s branded outlet will be located at BADMC’s headquarters at Fairy Valley Plantation, Christ Church.
The store will complement its sister stores, Carmeta’s Retail Shop, located at Princess Alice Highway, and Carmeta’s Liquor & Duty-Free, located at the Grantley Adams International Airport.
The new store will offer households and businesses the opportunity to purchase competitively-priced meats, poultry, and fresh vegetables, as well as preserves, beverages, shelf-stable condiments, and other items which are all sourced from local small and medium-sized enterprise farmers and agro-processors.
Ms. King stated that the ‘company store’ styled outlet aligned with the BADMC’s two key strategic objectives: to promote greater engagement, trial and adoption of local foods by Barbadian households; and to forge sustainable market linkages between farmers, agro-processors and consumers.
She continued: “Our wholesale and retail offerings at Fairy Valley will be anchored by the recently expanded Carmeta’s family of quality convenience foods, made exclusively with local produce as their main ingredients, which now includes gluten-free flours, flour mixes, baked goods and sorbets as well as seasoned and smoked beef, Blackbelly lamb, pork and poultry products.”
In addition to convenient, out-of-town shopping with ample customer parking, Carmeta’s Farm & Factory customers will be able to place and collect special orders of gluten-free baked goods, sorbets and prime cuts of beef and Blackbelly lamb from BADMC’s Food Production units by contacting the outlet at 428-7526.
A state-of-the-art point-of-sale system will also permit farmers and produce vendors to pay for their BADMC Farm Shop and Produce Room purchases in-store. Carmeta’s Farm & Factory will open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays until 4:00 p m.
For more information on store offerings or to explore retail distribution opportunities, persons may contact BADMC’s Commercial Development Officer, Leandra Grant, at 427-5250.
aisha.reid@barbados.gov.bb