TIME there was when the bustling marketplace was where consumers would go to get their supplies of fresh organic vegetables. Not so anymore! The team at Arya’s Fresh-Cut -– Farm Fresh, Healthy Living -– is changing people’s perceptions of the vegetables available at supermarkets.

The initiative has its genesis in the increased production and consequent consumption of fruits and vegetables in Guyana and the Caribbean region over the past several years. This rising consumer demand has also come with greater awareness of food safety, quality, and increased need for convenience and efficient service.

In response to these demands, Arya’s Fresh Cut Produce was established. The company assures that the safety and quality of wholesome fresh-cut produce necessitates the selection of high quality horticultural produce for processing, and the implementation of good practice during processing operations, in order to maintain product quality and assure final product safety.

Thus far, Arya’s Fresh-Cut line of produce includes cabbage (chopped); karela (corailla) – cut and cleaned; bell peppers (sweet pepper); passion fruit; ochro; wiri-wiri peppers; boulangers; pumpkins and tomatoes. Uncommon produce such as basil, mint leaves, ginger, oregano, cilantro and dried thyme are also grown.

The owner of the company happily disclosed that some of its biggest hits on the market are fresh mixed veggies. The chowmein mix (bora, carrot & cabbage), fried rice mix (bora & carrot), as well as the seasoning mix (celery, parsley, oregano and basil) has been receiving rave reviews for convenience, freshness, nutrition, safety, and the eating experience.

Apart from presenting the consumer with a range of options in a single package, fresh-cuts reduce wastage at the household level, since the produce is often already peeled and are always cleaned. Additionally, the clear packaging allows the opportunity to readily assess the quality of the produce being purchased.

Owner and manager of the company, Diane Persaud, said Arya’s Produce is geared to provide convenience in a package. “You don’t have to worry about getting spoiled produce, or damaged produce, or muddy/unclean produce. All Arya’s produce are hand-selected, graded and triple-washed, with the final wash being a high oxygen wash which removes all organic matter, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. This is the hallmark of the production line, which ensures that the highest quality gets into the hands of the consumer,” she explained.

The business is supported by trained technical personnel with over 15 years’ experience in the agricultural sector in Guyana and in the Region. “We feel a sense of pride as Guyanese to know that we can offer consumers here and even abroad a quality produce that can meet the highest standards”, she noted.

Diane disclosed that Arya’s Fresh Co is using only local produce grown in Guyana by Guyanese. “It is a joy to hand-select every tomato or passion fruit or mint leaf and put it into that beautiful package, knowing that whoever picks it up at the supermarket will thoroughly enjoy its freshness,” she declared.

The operation has already created jobs for some dedicated young ladies, who are not only assured of a livelihood, but wish to see that Guyanese get the best quality fresh produce. And Ms Persaud said: “it’s not always good to send the best produce to foreign countries and leave second and third grade quality for those that live here. We will — I am sure we will — change this. I believe that everyone should have a taste of the highest quality, and that is what we do”.

She encouraged persons who are keen on safe, wholesome, healthy fresh foods to check out this line of produce in the supermarkets of Survival and Bounty (Kitty, Bourda and Grove); at Rossignol Butchery and at Ashmins, to experience the freshness and convenience of Arya’s Fresh Cut Produce.

Arya’s additionally does orders for special occasions, and can be contacted on aryafreshco@gmail.com and Tel: 592-610-0528.

By Raveena Mangal