Bahamas News
Flamingo Gardens Centre’s backyard farm is ‘the gift that keeps on giving’
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Officials at the Flamingo Gardens Family Life Centre are putting their money where their mouths are when it comes to the Centre’s backyard farming initiative.
Almost one year after its launch in September, 2024 as part of the Empowerment Hour Programme, the Centre has planted and harvested a
range of vegetables from lettuce, to chili peppers, lemon cucumbers, Asian melons, and more recently pumpkins, including a 28.2 pounder, to showcase how families can not only feed themselves, but also supplement their incomes through the sale of their produce, while ultimately helping to protect the environment. A similar programme was launched at the Nassau Village Community Centre.
(The Empowerment Hour Programme, and all other programmes hosted at the Flamingo Gardens Family Life Centre, are facilitated by the Community Affairs Division of the Department of Social Services, Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting.)
Lisa Bowleg, the Officer-in-Charge of the Community Affairs Division, said the Centre’s collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, and specifically Mr. Danrey Sweeting, on the implementation of the backyard farming initiative, has been “fruitful.”
“I would say that we have been very successful as a group in turning the backyard space at the centre into a positive showcase of the potential of backyard farming,” Bowleg said. “The Department of Agriculture came in at the initial stages and shared tips and tools of how we could have a successful programme, and then they came in and showed us how to make that happen.
“From that period to now, we have had several harvests, and the consideration was that as we continue to grow and harvest, and teach and
make persons within the community more and more aware of the possibilities of backyard farming even within a limited space, that we also continue to give back.” Bowleg said the Centre has been privileged to share its harvests with various individuals, families and institutions in the community free of charge. Beneficiaries have included residents of the two Senior Citizens Homes.
“The ability to share something out of our garden with our senior citizens that they can enjoy — whether it is a pumpkin soup, or a piece of roasted pumpkin, or boiled pumpkin is a blessing,” Bowleg continued. “What we are doing at the Flamingo Gardens Family Life Centre with the Empowerment Hour Programme, and more specifically with the Backyard Farming Initiative, is showing people that this is indeed possible and that it does not matter how young or old you are; whether you are able-bodied or whether you are differently-abled, that there is indeed a way to feed ourselves, to sustain ourselves and our family and also be able to share with other persons in the community.”
An avid backyard farmer who practices what she preaches, Bowleg said she views backyard farming as “the gift that keeps on giving.”
“One of the persons we distributed the pumpkins to operates a Soup Kitchen free of charge on a monthly basis and so being able to assist her means that she can continue to share with others. The Soup Kitchen at the Good News Seventh-Day Adventist Church, a community partner of the Family Life Centre, has also been a recipient (and) so we are not just talking about passing on something where it stops, it’s the gift that keeps on giving because as we give to them, they are giving to others.”
Initially launched as a means of getting adult residents of the community to appreciate the many benefits associated with backyard farming, the Programme was recently extended to participants of the Centre’s annual Camp Climate Action where they were provided with instruction on how to re-use and recycle old tires, pots and pans, and cups and bottles within which to grow their fruits, vegetables and various herbs. Seventy children participated in the Camp that also focused on climate change and its impacts on communities and children; hurricane preparedness (packing a proper disaster supply kit); food security (food insecurity is a fall-out from climate change); backyard farming, and preserving the environment (plant life, marine life, animal life).
Bowleg said Camp Climate Action provided facilitators and presenters with the opportunity to teach a young generation of Bahamians about
the things they can do to help preserve and sustain our environment at an early age. Campers were also taught how to make compost from organic materials like yard waste (dry leaves, etcetera) and food scraps (peels from fruits and vegetables including bananas, oranges, potatoes, apples, etcetera). The compost is then added to the soil to improve its properties. She said the garden at the Flamingo Gardens Family Life Centre, is “proof positive” about the attributes of backyard farming. “More people need to understand that there are many opportunities to grow their own fruits, vegetables and herbs – organically — no matter how small their yard space may be. Additionally, herbs such as basil, rosemary, thyme, cilantro, etcetera, can all be grown and harvested in various sized containers in kitchens which eliminates the need for yard space. Backyard farming is a wonderful initiative that not only helps with food security, but also the economic, social and physical and mental health benefits of persons who participate in it.”
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
