PRODUCE SHOW

March 2002 Table of Contents

PRODUCE SHOW

The Bahamas Farmer's Association of Abaco held a produce show in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Abaco at the Anglican Church Hall, Marsh Harbour, on 9th February. Abaco farmers demonstrated some of the fine quality fruits and vegetables they are growing and there was a produce competition for members of the public.

The main attraction for children was the petting zoo featuring calves, pigs, sheep, goats and chicken. Ladies from Dundas Town and Murphy Town provided Bahamian delicacies for sale including cassava and potato bread, coconut creams, coconut cake, benny cake, coconut pie, coconut jimmy and cup cakes.

There were several impressive displays including one on Bahamian bush medicine by Central Abaco Primary School and one on the processing of coonties into bread. Coonties, called bay rush in the islands, were on display and a series of photographs showed the passage of the coonties from growing in the bush to appearing on the table. There were loaves of bread made from coontie flour for members of the public to taste. It is believed that the original settlers on Abaco used bay rush as a staple food. The plant is poisonous and is therefore not eaten by the local wild hogs but processing leaches out the poison for human use. A fascinating presentation by Patrick J Bethel and John Heddon.

Winners in the Open categories were: Black Sapote - 1st Joe & Donna Kern; Eddo - 1st Nadeen Beneby; Grapefruit - 1st Ella Sands, 2nd Spencer Bethel, 3rd Loren Roberts; Pineapple - Nadeen Beneby; Pomelo - 1st Joe & Donna Kern; Pumpkin - 1st Cynthia James; Rangpur lime - 1st Joe & Donna Kern; Tangelo - 1st David Sands; Yams - 1st André Albury; Floral Displays - Beverly Rolle, Gleakor Campbell, Jabaz and Cassandra Hardy - all first place winners.

March 2002 Table of Contents