Student blogger: Lindsey E
Kiss Baking Company
This morning we visited Kiss Baking Company and went on a walk through tour of their facilities. Kiss is known for their products like breads, cupcakes, and cakes. They seemed to be similar to the American company, Hostess. Their factory operated on an assembly line process. We were first shown how they make their cupcakes by mixing the batter and the cream that goes inside of the cake. They then baked the cupcake for 12 minutes and then sent it into a cooling area for 30 minutes. After cooling, they injected the cream and sent the finished cupcakes off for packaging. We then walked through the bread baking portion of the factory where they make the dough and then send it to a room set at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in order to rise. After leaving this room, the bread is sent into the oven to bake and then is cooled and packaged.
Kiss also makes cakes for occasions such as birthdays. They have a separate building where the cakes are decorated and made to order for any special events. From what we saw, the factory seemed to be very similar to what would be seen in an American baking factory. Overall, this was an interesting experience learning how Kiss’s products are made.
Netted up for the factory tour
All of us ready to see cupcakes and bread!
Student Blogger: Hali F
National Foodcrop Farmers Association
For the first farm we went to in Trinidad today we learned about Moringa and saw a pretty big sized field of Tomatoes that were worth about $100,000 trini dollars which is around $14,000 US dollars! We also got to see eggplants, pumpkins and jingi squash being grown, which is used similarly to potatoes.
Next up we visited a papaya or pawpaw farm. These take about 9 months to fully grow. The ones we were able to see were about 8 months old. We also learned that with the oil being taken from the ground in Trinidad it effects the amount of nutrients within the soil so they have to add chicken manure in order to supply the extra nutrients needed. They also use biological pesticides and try to stay away from heavy ones in order for better quality food.
We then visited my personal favorite place which was a house by the seedling farm (which we visited next) used for organic percussion. Organic percussion is music which is influenced by nature and also made from nature. For example they had a steel pan made from a barrel used for oil as a way to recycle. They also use a rain stick which mimics rain fall made of a tree and small seeds poured in for the sound effect. I think we all enjoyed this a lot and got to really enjoy and experience something new.
Lastly we visited the seedling farm. This is where they start to plant the seeds in small containers and when they are mature enough they move them into a field or sometimes even grow boxes like the one we built on Tuesday! We saw tomatoes, basil, pepper, bok Choy, spring onions, eggplant, and parsley just to name a few. Because of where they are located within the mountains instead of using hard piped water they use spring water for their crops which gives them a better quality crop, a more natural crop, as well as a less diseased crop. We also learned a bit about the NFFA or the national food crop and farmers association. They were formed in 1974 in order to give farmers better treatment, provide recommendations, help with price support, challenge any issues within the system, help to finance land grants for projects, and if anything like flooding occurs they try to help out. They aren’t financed like a government organization is so they can only go to a certain extent, but do the most they can. It was entirely a way for farmers to unite and “was born out of struggle.
Seedling farm:
They start to plant them in planter and then when they are mature enough they move them into the field or into a grow box
Tomatoes, basil, pepper, bok Choy, spring onions, eggplant, parsley
Some are for order and some are just to grow
They use the spring water to grow them instead of piped hard water so they are better quality and more natural, people come up all the way to the mountain to obtain them, they are also less diseased in addition
NFFA-1974 organization for farmers for better treatment of farmers and also give recommendations, price support, and help to challenge issues within the system, help with financing land grants for projects and such, they also help out if anything happens like flooding for example and damage is caused to the crops. It’s a way for farmers to unite and “was born out of struggle”-National food crop and farmers association
Me Terrance showing is some plots.
Exploring a hilltop farm
We happened by the home of the son of the founder of organic music. He demonstrated a lot of original instruments.
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