THREE family members have teamed up to establish a major plantain chip packaging business called Ventriz Flavoured Plantain Chips.

Ventriz Flavoured Plantain Chips offers three flavours to consumers. At a simple but impressive launch at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region 10 Boardroom, Regional Chairman, Renis Morian hailed the initiative as timely.
He said it is an indication that progress is being made by young and innovative entrepreneurs within the region and congratulated founder, Garth Nelson, who teamed up with a cousin and another relative to start the business.

“This business that is rolling out today is certainly a testimony of the determination and commitment of many Guyanese who are determined to contribute in a very meaningful way to the growth and development of this country. I therefore congratulate this young man and his cousin, David Forde, who, together with the six-year-old son of David, Deicrick Forde, have formed a great team in rolling out this plantain chip packaging business, thus being a business with a great difference,” the regional chairman said.
He said the plan of the company to buy plantain chips from suppliers will create both direct and indirect jobs for persons in the region.

The RDC, Morian said, welcomes the investment, noting that many times things are launched but take weeks or months to roll out.

The business provides an opportunity for farmers in the region to cultivate plantains, which it will buy. This partnership will stimulate economic activities in the region and save the business money if it had to purchase plantain from outside the region.
Nelson related that some months ago, he and Forde were brainstorming what business they could get into that would be sustainable and create employment when they arrived at the idea to enter the plantain chip business.

LOVE PLANTAIN CHIPS
“I do not talk much as I love eating plantain chips and I can tell you that I eat a lot of plantain chips and about four months ago, we created the new flavours: – tomato ketchup, cheddar cheese and vinegar. I can tell you that while I have no background in cooking, the chips taste really well,” Nelson said.

The businessman, who holds a degree in computer science, said his cousin, who is completing his degree in finance and accounting joined with him to make the business named after their maternal grandmother a reality.

“While David and I got together, we decided that we were going to buy the plantain chips from within the community so as to provide an avenue to those persons selling chips to also benefit economically as this is our way of giving back to the community,” Nelson said.
He added: “We are not selling these chips retail as our primary focus is to provide it at wholesale prices, thus aiding young and other innovative businessmen and women to make a profit from this product,” he stressed. Garth, who currently works in the US at a hospital, is happy about the new product and the positive feedback he has received thus far.

MORE COMING

His business partner, Forde, said three additional flavours will be introduced in another eight months and their product would be similar to Pringles.
“Just like how Pringles are to potato so would Ventriz be to plantain chips as we will be introducing probably after eight months more flavours and with our chief tasting officer advising us on the taste, we would be geared towards ensuring that the product is not only of a very high quality but one that is pursued aggressively by children,” Forde said.
The chips are being packaged in a tightly sealed ziplock bag, affording users an opportunity to reuse the plastic bags for storage and other usage.

“The great thing about this plantain chips bag is that after eating it you can use the same bag to either put a snack or juice for your child, thus saving parents money and time. I can tell you that it is very convenient as I do it myself and the ziploc bags are very strong and sturdy,” he reassured those at the launch.

The plantain chips will be sold wholesale for $100.00 per bag and are expected to hit the shelves at stalls and local supermarkets by next week. The business is currently producing some 300 bags per day but with increased staff and space for production, they are hoping to increase the production number significantly.