Sustainability Conference says ‘Yes’ to wellness and health | THE DAILY HERALD

“Celebrity” honey on sale from local beekeeper Celford Gibbs (centre) and Gerda Gibbs (left). “The island has so many great wellness and health assets to market such a concept. However, promoting such features is a bit like building a house. You start with laying the foundation with all stakeholders and create an audit of what you have and then move forward to build and promote the house. Clarity at home is essential.” Conference participants were left in no doubt as to the wellness and health appeal of Statia. On the home front, Taro Merkman and Gershon Lopes were equally enthusiastic as to the opportunities for creating a unique and attractive market for healthy eating and living on the “Historical Gem.” Merkman is the marketing director of locally grown produce that is branded “Made in Statia,” and Lopes is Unit Manager at the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. In his presentation called “Growing Healthy Together,” Merkman emphasised the health-giving quality of locally grown produce that helps immunity to many diseases, including cancer and diabetes, as well as obesity. Miss Brooks proudly displays her flowering plants on sale. Lopes agreed. “Don’t let your medicine become your food but let your food become the medicine,” he told delegates. “The vegetables and produce that we import from the United States to Statia not only generate little energy but also have been grown with chemicals. However, on Statia, our local produce and meat are fresh, nutritious, tasty and health-giving,” he explained.


Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/81149-sustainability-conference-says-yes-to-wellness-and-health