HEART will offer training to street food vendors

Kingston's Mayor Delroy Williams and representatives from HEART/NSTA Trust met yesterday to formalise plans for comprehensive training of street food vendors.

This initiative comes in light of the recent incident at 'Crab Circle', where a vendor was observed relieving herself in a bucket, close to where she served food. Williams stated that the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation was actively working with the agency "towards establishing a partnership to provide thorough training for street food vendors".

The proposed course by HEART/NSTA Trust is centred on small food facility operation, covering critical aspects of food preparation and safe handling for the public. Stakeholders anticipate that this training programme will elevate professionalism and enhance public safety in the food preparation process.

Williams emphasised, "Some vendors bring their home practices into their food vending activities. The training will equip them with the necessary knowledge to ensure proper and appropriate operations."

He continued, "While our initial focus will be on vendors at Crab Circle, an area with a 40-year history, and locations like Harbour View Roundabout, Red Hills Road jerk areas, and Molynes Road, we intend for this training and certification to extend to all street vendors in the city."

The training will span five days and include both theoretical and practical assessments. The partnership envisions an ongoing programme with various courses in the future, ensuring continuous improvement.

Williams stated, "Once participants successfully complete the assessment, they will receive training and certification. We aim to commence this initiative next week or the following week."

Regarding hygiene improvements, Williams said, "We have been in contact with public health officials to sanitise the area and explore adding wash basins and running water facilities. However, given the nature of streetside vending, we are mindful of infrastructure limitations."

Addressing the potential reopening of Crab Circle after the training, Williams said, "Once the training is completed to our satisfaction and the public health department's standards, we will take the necessary steps to reopen the space."

As for the installation of restrooms or mobile restroom facilities, Williams clarified, "Some of the vendors would have had their own private arrangements. We are looking in to all of those and then we'll make a decision. We want to check to see if those private arrangements are still functioning."