Ket’s Gourmet Farm: The 10 Year Journey to Becoming Jamaica’s 1st Certified Urban Organic Farm
As one looks over the refrigerator section of local neighbourhood supermarkets, one’s gaze is captivated by the brightly coloured and exquisitely packaged Ket’s Gourmet Lifestyle salads. On closer examination, local residents may discover that the address is just a few minutes’ drive up the hill in the quiet residential Stilwell community.
This report serves to do the following:
Share the Philosophy of Ket’s Gourmet Lifestyle.
Highlight how sustainable development principles and personal responsibility feature in health and environment management.
Describe why Ket’s Gourmet Farm has become Jamaica’s first and sole certified urban organic farm.
Ket’s Gourmet Lifestyle Philosophy
Kermit E. Tucker is a Lifestyle Consultant by Occupation. He has been operating Ket’s Lifestyle Consultancy with his wife, Yvonne, for more than 22 years from 34 Stilwell Road, and previously an outlet store in Liguanea Plaza.
Kermit’s lifelong interest in health and fitness began at the age 25 when he was diagnosed with ulcers. He completely overhauled his lifestyle to manage his condition. At the outset, he knew that he had to change his relationship with food and what he thought about food. He also involved himself in athletics. Later, with Yvonne, he began distributing the Golden Neo-Life Diamite (GNLD) line of nutritional products.
This saw them expanding their message of a healthy lifestyle beyond the shores of Jamaica, and throughout the entire Caribbean region.
The Tuckers’ passion for Jamaica’s unique and finest culinary offerings has always played a central role in their lives. This led Kermit to serve with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) as a judge in the culinary arts competition. It also resulted in his pioneering the establishment of the Jamaican Chapter of the internationally renowned Confrère de la Chaine des Rotisseurs.
Being a country boy at heart from the hills and valleys of St. Ann, the establishment of an organic farm was a natural step as he considered the land he had available around his yard. Today, the Ket’s Gourmet Farm provides nutritious, organically grown herbs and vegetables for a health conscious clientele.
The Ket’s Gourmet Lifestyle clientele benefits from Kermit’s unrelenting pursuit of knowledge about vegetables and herbs, and their supportive partnerships in the Jamaica Organic Association (JOAM). This group is comprised of major supermarket retailers: (1) General Foods Supermarket (Liguanea); (2) Lee’s Food Fair (Red Hills Road); (3) Loshusan Supermarket (Barbican); (4) Select Grocers (Manor Park) and (5) Super Value Fresh Foods (Constant Spring Road), (6) S Foods. They also market their products to neighbors,church members, and other business associates.
The unique Ket’s Gourmet Lifestyle value proposition for their clientele is the emphasis on total health. A single tagline conveys the Ket’s Gourmet Team message to their clients and also promotes brand loyalty. This is: “Nourish and Flourish Life Through Leaves.”
Sustainable Development Principles and Personal Responsibility Feature in Health and Environment Management
Specific to the organic farm, the Ket’s Gourmet brand provides affordable, nutritionally dense and organically grown herbs and vegetables for an increasingly health conscious clientele. Salads are made to order from vegetables that are harvested fresh and processed as a ready to eat salad. Each order is packaged with a homemade honey-based salad dressing.
Ket’s Gourmet Farm Layout
The prevailing message is sustainable development. Sustainable development was first
…described by the 1987 Bruntland Commission Report as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
There are four dimensions to sustainable development – society, environment, culture and economy - which are intertwined, not separate. Sustainability is a paradigm for thinking about the future in which environmental, societal and economic considerations are balanced in the pursuit of an improved quality of life. For example, a prosperous society relies on a healthy environment to provide food and resources, safe drinking water and clean air for its citizens.” (Sustainable Development (unesco.org)
The personal responsibility for managing health and the environment is the unquestionable message that is expressed in every product and process at Ket’s Gourmet Farm. The principles of use, reuse and recycle are in constant motion here. Whatever can be used is used. The following section guides you through the meticulously planned, organized and cultivated, fully certified, sole urban organic farm in Jamaica!
On entry to the Farm, one is surprised to see the sprawling front yard neatly organized into rows and rows of vegetables growing in a variety of ways: in the ground, on terraced hillsides, in wooden planter boxes, in recycled containers (old bath tubs, Styrofoam fruit packaging boxes) and more.
Water bottles, water tanks and drip irrigation lines can be seen around the farm, as they provide the necessary water and nutrients to sustain plant health and maximize growth.
Overlooking the driveway to the 1-acre property is a terraced patch of land, ubiquitously dubbed “Bath Boulevard.” Why? Because the first thing that you see as you enter this area is a meticulously laid out row of old bathtubs that have been recycled for planting organic vegetables.
The entire life cycle of this organic farm sits on this patch. First, a large container for composting all the kitchen waste is situated here. Red Wrigglers are the worms used to break down the food waste and hasten the composting process. The organic matter is harvested and mixed into the soil to plant new crops.
Below this container is a bucket which harvests the drainage (vermitea) produced by the worms and the composted food waste.
This liquid is stored in an internal facility. Here, a pump is attached to it to keep the microbes alive until it is mixed into the soil for planting. Molasses is added to the vermitea so that the microbes will not die of starvation. For more information on the effectiveness of vermitea to control pesticides and to improve the biodiversity in soil. Please see more studies on vermitea and bioremediation by Chiang (2013) and Politud and Pabellan (2016).
Just across from the composting centre is a huge water storage tank that receives water harvested from the roof of the main house.
Mr. Kermit Tucker demonstrates the innovative water harvesting and irrigation strategies that ensure that his farm will have enough water, even during the driest months of the year. Rain harvested water is pumped from the capture site to this distribution tank to water the crops in this area of terraced hillside. At the collection site, drain pipes channel water from the roof of the house into storage tanks of 1000 gallons each.
Electric pumps are used to deliver the water from this collection site to distribution station 1. Drip irrigation lines supply water for the certified organic fields of carrot, beetroot, tomatoes, lettuces, and other herbs.
Ket’s Gourmet Farm wastes nothing. They are deliberate on making the foods provided to your tables as nutrient dense as possible. In order to do this, string beans are planted after each crop of produce is harvested.
The legumes restore nitrogen and other nutrients that have been depleted in the previous harvest. Once the string beans blossom and reach their most potent nutritional value, they are cut down. The cuttings are ploughed into the soil to maximize the nutritional value of the next crops of carrots, beetroot, tomatoes and more.
Leaving the terraced hillside, we take a turn to the side of the house where we are accompanied by containers of more organically grown lettuces, other vegetables and herbs grown in styrofoam containers. Bales of cut grass and raked leaves are left in tree covered bins to produce more compost. Around the farm, there are a total of five composting bins that facilitate the organic breakdown of yard cuttings and other organic waste. In time the mixtures are added to the soil when planting new crops.
One of the dreams of Kermit and Yvonne Tucker, was to ensure the organic quality of the honey used in their salad dressings. This required them to explore bee farming. What started as an experimental hive with just three hives in 2017, has turned into an expansive bee farm nestled at the back of the property far away from human interference.
The experiment has become so successful that in the year 2021 harvest netted them 50 gallons of honey.
This abundant harvest of honey not only provides a key ingredient for their homemade gourmet salad dressing, but it has also resulted in a new product line in stores - Tuck-Ville Honey. True to the philosophy of Ket’s Gourmet Lifestyle, nothing is wasted. The wax from the hives are collected and melted to make cones for new hives. Which shows that the expansion possibilities go as far as they are willing to extend themselves and maximize the space available to them. This will undoubtedly guarantee higher yields from one honey season to the next; or at the very least, provide a minimum quantity that can be budgeted and allocated for consistent product supply.
Beds of arugula are now running along the retaining wall to provide a steady supply for local restaurants who use herb daily. Nestled just below the beds of arugula, and hugging the hillside, are more containers of vegetables and herbs which are being covered in greenhouse technology to protect the lettuce leaves from being damaged by the heavy rains. Therefore, water demand will increase to keep these crops hydrated once they lose the benefit of pure rainfall. The solution is to establish a second water distribution site in this area of the farm. Drip irrigation lines will be installed to take water directly to the plants.
A farmer’s work is never easy. And, from planting and harvesting, to packaging and distribution, motivation of the team is important. The Tuckers know this. So, they have strategically placed a sign outside of the Packaging Facility to motivate everyone that the rewards of labour start and end here. It simply reads, “Be quality conscious…Take pride in your job!”.
At the end of the tour of the planting areas of the farm, is the Packaging Facility.
This was a major requirement for certification. The area is double screened to keep it free of insects. Head coverings are placed at the entrance and required for all who enter to reduce contamination of the vegetables that is being packed. All outdoor shoes must be left at the entrance. Countertops and sinks, as well as additional equipment are all stainless steel and have to be cleaned and sanitized daily.
The full tour of the facilities ends in the Seedling Nursery.
This area symbolizes the beginning of the organic generation process. It is the creative hub for reversing the impact of genetically modified food on our health. Strategically located inside an inner atrium just off the office, we see the constant research and application that is required to ensure Ket’s Gourmet Farms organic status. And, why Ket’s Gourmet Farms is the first and only urban organic farm currently certified in Jamaica by the Bureau of Standards.
In sum, through innovative green, urban farming technology, the enterprise has managed to produce specialty salads comprised of organically grown vegetables with dressing manufactured from their own fully organic honey. In addition to this primary activity, they have also created new lines of products including Tuck-Ville Honey, as well as a number of beverages. The specialty wine collection includes their signature Otaheite Apple Blush Wine, a Banana Sherry and other beverages.
There is clearly so much room for growth for Ket’s Gourmet Farm that the future looks bright and exciting.
The Ket’s Gourmet Farms Organic Journey
Undertaking the journey towards being officially certified as an urban organic farm was a major decision It was also a road paved with many challenges as the Tuckers would be the first urban organic farm in Jamaica to attain this standard. But, with family support behind them, and the desire to show the nation and the world how beneficial organic products are, they felt that it was worth the effort.
This section seeks to answer four key questions:
Why Organic?
Why Get Certified?
What are the benefits?
What guarantees can be made to a customer?
The Benefits of Organic Farming
The Tuckers’ desire has been to address the basic needs of the population in an innovative and modern way of reconnecting humans and nature. The solution? Tie our health and our very survival to Jamaica, the land we love. In an official capacity, organic agriculture is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as “a production system that is managed to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, 2021).
This means that this system of farming is a comprehensive answer to environmental pollution, soil erosion and more. By utilizing ecologically-based pest controls and biological fertilizers derived largely from animal and plant wastes, organic farming ensures that what is produced by nature gets recycled in nature. Fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing cover crops are also used to replenish the nutrients that were depleted in the production and harvest of a previous crop. The Tuckers use legumes, more specifically, string beans, as their cover crop of choice. Other popular cover crops used in organic farming, include: comfrey, cow peas, buckwheat and vetch. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/organic-farming, 2021; Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, 2021, https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Transitioning-to-Organic-Production.pdf)
In sum, as a system, organic farming is a production method that combines the best environmental practices with more natural manufacturing processes.
Why Organic?
The way that we farm and eat can make a world of difference. The organic “Agro Ecological” farming system offers many benefits. The primary benefit of organic farming is that it reduces the risk of environmental pollution by eliminating the use of manufactured chemicals and pesticides. All other benefits are derived from this primary one. The list below gives a glimpse into the advantages of organic farming and consuming organic foods:
It is better for the planet. - Organic farming is designed to respect nature and enhance the health of the soil, our water supply, and air quality. This means no artificial fertilizers.
It will be better for all people - Organic farming joins the dots between our health, the health of the planet, and our animals and wildlife.
Protects fresh water systems - Decreases nitrate leaching into groundwater and surface water.
Fewer pesticides - This means less exposure to toxic chemicals in our foods.
Fewer additives - This means that there are little or no preservatives, dyes or artificial sweeteners added. The foods are produced and consumed as close to nature as possible.
No genetically modified (GM) Ingredients - This means that we do not consume crops that have had their DNA altered to make them resistant to disease and other environmental factors.
No antibiotics - This means that humans are not exposed to unnecessary medications and the resulting side effects through simply consuming foods.
Healthy and tasty food. - Foods that are grown in rich, nutrient dense and uncontaminated soil naturally have stronger flavors and provide greater nutritional benefits.
Inexpensive Process - Due to the processes used of composting, fewer manufactured pesticides and recycling animal waste, the farming method is less expensive than modern mechanized farming.
Generates income - Provides economic benefits for small independent farmers who have a little space in an urban setting or a lot of space in the deep rural countryside.
Generates income through exports - Sales have been increasing each year by billions as global demand for organic products rise. “Global organic food market stood at $110.25 billion in 2016, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.5%, in value terms, during 2017-2022, to reach $262.85 billion by 2022” (TechSci Research, 2020; https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/global-organic-food-market-by-product-type-organic-meat-poultry-and-dairy-organic-fruits-and-vegetables-organic-processed-food-etc-by-region-europe-north-america-asia-pacific-etc-competition-forecast-and-opportunities/833.html
Source of Employment - Organic farming is more labour intensive compared to mechanized farming methods. So, it generates more employment.
Organic products are sold at higher prices. In some cases, organic produce earns 25 per cent more than non-organic crops. (FarmBizAfrica, 2020;
It is unquestionable that organic farming provides many benefits as an alternative to traditional and mechanized farming systems. In the words of Albert Howard, an English botanist by training and an Indian pathologist by practice, and one of the notable fathers of organic farming, “The health of the soil, planet, animals and man is one and indivisible.”
What Guarantees Can Be Made to Customers?
The Ket’s Gourmet Lifestyle brand is a product that we wear proudly. We believe that we are our own best customers. So, our farming practices are an outflow of how we have cared for ourselves and our children for more than seven decades, and how our children continue to care for themselves and their children by choosing an organic lifestyle. With the concern for future generation on our minds, we unreservedly make these guarantees to our customers:
We will continue to practice and maintain biodiversity and soil fertility.
We will not use harmful chemicals and synthetic products.
We will never use GMO products.
Why Get Certified?
The organic seal of certification is used by different countries like the United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and now Jamaica, as a marketing strategy that guarantees the quality and the processes used to produce organic foods (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2021). In general there are four labeling categories for organic products-100 percent organic, organic, “made with” organic ingredients, and specific organic ingredients.
To be certified as 100 Percent Organic, which is the claim that Ket’s Gourmet Farms makes on their locally distributed salads and honey, products must be made with 100 percent certified organic ingredients (excluding salt and water). The label must also include the name of the certifying agent and the Bureau of Standards of Jamaica (BSJ) Organic Seal and/or the 100 percent organic claim.
So, as a marketing strategy, certification allows us to better position our products in supermarkets where consumers are looking for healthier choices. Becoming Jamaica’s first certified urban organic farm allows us to niche our organic products and make guarantees of internationally approved standards to our customers.
The Ket’s Gourmet Farm organic certification by the Bureau of Standards allows us to achieve the following:
To provide our customers with the confidence that they are getting the best and safest product for their health.
Position ourselves as leaders in the business as we get ready for the export market.
Provide employment, training and seedlings for others who are interested in pursuing an organic gourmet lifestyle.
Needs
More drip irrigation lines will be needed to ensure healthy and hydrated plants. Assistance will be sought from interested agencies to expand the drip irrigation network to cover the entire farm.
Export certification and distribution.
Securing the freshness of organic produce locally and overseas due to the shorter shelf life.
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