The Government’s Community Kitchens on Union Island continue to ease the burden on residents, delivering approximately 800 meals per week across the Southern Grenadine isle.
The kitchens, located in Clifton and Ashton, were launched after Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm that devastated the region in mid-2024. Managed by the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), the initiative aims to assist residents unable to provide for themselves.
According to Kenville Adams, manager of the Clifton kitchen, the operation was divided into two branches this year, allowing one branch to move to Ashton. Adams explained that the kitchens employ 27 staff members in total, with 12 in Clifton and 15 in Ashton.
Food preparation begins daily at 7 AM, and meals are distributed both at the kitchen and through home deliveries. “The community appreciates the food,” Adams told the Agency for Public Information (API). He added that meals are also provided to police officers, construction workers, shut-ins, and others in need.
The kitchens cater to diverse dietary needs with a menu that includes saffron rice, chicken, ribs, fish, soya trunks, and vegetables, offering options for both meat-eaters and vegetarians.
Glen Alexander, head chef at the Ashton kitchen, expressed pride in the initiative. “It’s very nice working here,” Alexander said. “The staff is committed to the task and proud to be part of such an effort.”
Adams noted that the kitchens could expand their reach if additional resources become available, emphasizing their role in providing critical support to the Union Island community.
