Sandals general manager, John Keating (left) welcomes BAIC executive chairman Edison M Key during a meeting Tuesday. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

EXUMA, Bahamas -- Sandals at Emerald Bay is opening new opportunities for Exuma’s farmers and artisans.  

The resort has agreed to purchase Exuma-grown produce and has arranged a weekly cultural outing for its guests at the local Fish Fry.  

“We want our guests to experience Bahamian food and culture,” said general manager, John Keating. “So we have arranged with the local Fish Fry to go down on a Wednesday night.  

“At the Fish Fry they can eat local Bahamian food prepared by local Bahamian chefs along with some entertainment, music, dancing. We think that would be very fruitful. We think our guests will get a true taste of The Bahamas while they are here.”  

The vendors have been “very co-operative” in any changes that had to be made to facilitate the venture, he said. “We are looking forward to a very strong relationship with them.”  

Sandals general manager, John Keating (right) takes BAIC executive chairman, Edison M Key (left) and his team on a tour of the resort property on Exuma. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

Thanks to Sandals, Air Canada is making weekly flights to Exuma. The next flight is booked full, said Mr Keating.  

“Within the five months we have been here, we have re-employed a lot of people who worked formerly for the Four Seasons and they are settling down very, very well,” he said. “They can see the place is getting busy. The relationship locally is getting better every day.”  

Sandals has also adopted Exuma’s Livingstone N Coakley High School.  

Exuma used to be the onion capital of the Bahamas. Wesley Lien of Kermit Rolle’s Farm shows what can be produced. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

“We are going to work with them through the Sandals Foundation which always works well in the local community. So we are very happy to be involved with that.”  

Mr Keating hosted Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) chairman, Edison M Key and a team on Tuesday.  

Accompanying Mr Key were BAIC general manager, Benjamin Rahming; assistant general manager (agriculture), Arnold Dorsett and assistant general manager (handicraft), Donnalee Bowe.  

Exuma and Ragged Islands administrator, Ivan Ferguson; domestic investment officer, Everette Hart; Farmers Association president, Althea Ferguson; handicraft association president Isidora Lloyd, and their associates received the delegation from Nassau.  

BAIC was in Exuma to inspect land being prepared for farmers and to meet with persons interested in food production.  

slideshow here BAIC is helping Exuma farmers with half the cost of land preparation. Executive chairman Edison M Key (second right) inspected the work on Tuesday. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

“We have made available some funding for farmers whereby we pay half the cost of the land clearing,” he said. “I am pleased with what I have seen.  

“I see some progress with the farmers. There has been increased production in onions, tomatoes, cabbages, potatoes and other products.  

“And the meeting with Sandals was very, very encouraging. They have agreed to purchase from local farmers.  

“The connection between the farmers and the hotel will go a long way in eliminating farmers’ dependency on the packing house and the produce exchange in Nassau.”  

BAIC is planning to erect accommodations for farmers and artisans at the Fish Fry.  

Veteran farmer Kermit Rolle (left) puts his case to BAIC executive chairman Edison, M Key during a visit on Tuesday. Also pictured are general manager Benjamin, Rahming (right) and assistant general manager (agriculture), Arnold Dorsett. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)