A PUBLIC appeal is being made by the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) to consumers to include in their shopping list, the many natural products that are made and grown locally, since based on ingredients and shelf life, these commodities are healthier and more affordable in comparison to foreign imported products such as jams, jellies and processed fruit.

At this time of year, consumers significantly increase their food purchases which often include a wide of variety of foreign made imported goods, many of which are being produced here in Guyana with similar versions and varieties.

The GMC views this season and the progress in 2009 as an opportunity for local producers of food to capitalize on the increase demand by promoting their commodities, thereby providing consumers with a viable option.

Continued investment in agriculture and the ongoing efforts to modernize and diversify the sector has enabled a number of small medium and large scale agribusiness ventures to flourish. Processed goods producers in Region Four and the growing industry of coffee, cocoa sticks, peanut butter, organic soap and cream, in Region One, have also significantly improved the quality and packaging of their commodities, bringing them on par with many of the imported products, the GMC said.

Locally produced products can be found throughout all major supermarkets and GMC’s Guyana Shop, which stocks a wide variety of sauces, jams, jellies, butter, ketchup, canned fruits, cake mix, confectionaries and beverages.

The GMC continues to work closely with farmers, agro-processors and stakeholders such as Banks DIH Limited, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Pomeroon Women’s Group and Edward Beharry and Company, to ensure that locally produced agro-products meet internationally acceptable standards and are made available in Guyana, at affordable prices for consumers. (GINA)