Will the US government shutdown affect food supply to the Cayman Islands? I have also heard that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cut back on inspections. Will that compromise the safety of the products that are imported and put out on Cayman’s shelves?
Auntie’s answer: I am sure that many people here share your concern. I approached the supermarkets here to see what they have heard, since this issue would directly affect them.
Woody Foster, of Foster’s Food Fair, was first off the mark, and gets many thanks for his quick response.
He explained that one of his suppliers recently sent a link that addresses how the USDA is operating under the shutdown, basically saying that the necessary inspections will continue.
Mr Foster added that he then called the supermarket’s major vendors, including a shipping company, to check. “They all have responded that we should not have any issue as all USDA inspectors are at work and to this point being paid,” he said.
However, the produce company and shipper also told him that there have been “some issues with inbound produce not getting in consistently”, which could lead to some items becoming out of stock here.
While the suppliers told Mr Foster they would update him if anything changes, he said they also pointed out that as the shutdown is a “historic situation” (26 days and counting as of Wednesday, 16 January) there is no precedent for them to rely on as to what will happen.
Send questions to auntie@caymannewsservice.com
Recent answers from Auntie (Click here for archives)
Forced to pay tip for takeout at airport
(Answer updated) I was at the departure lounge at Owen Roberts Airport and stopped and picked out a sandwich and a drink from the cooler. When paying for the items I was told there was an automatic 25% added. When I asked for it to be removed they refused as it was already built into […]
Non-account holder unable to cash cheque
I went to a bank in Cayman to cash a cheque issued by a local insurance company from an account at the same bank. The cheque was refused and I was told I had to present it at my own bank. Is this correct procedure? What about people who don’t have a bank account?! Auntie’s […]
Parting ways with your Christmas tree
If you do not place your Christmas tree in one of the bins that the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has put out by their deadline, what are the options for dealing with the tree? Auntie’s answer: While I can’t really take issue with the 18 January cut-off date to drop off your Christmas tree, […]
Elevator certificates out of date
I have noticed that the expiration date of the elevator certificates in some buildings are long past. How
The USA is not the only food supplier
I would not be in the least bit surprised if USDA inspections of food bound for Cayman are done over the phone much like some electrical inspections are done here for those with “connections”. Adding to this, it’s ironic that some of the produce that manages to survive the trip to Cayman would hardly pass a USDA inspection if it were done on this end.
The escalating trade war talk with China and USA ought to be higher on the collective geopolitical worry list since much of humanity’s global food processing and production has shifted to China over the last 20 years. NASDA, perhaps unwittingly, has become dangerously reliant on the integrity of this relationship – already being squeezed under tens of billions in new retaliatory Chinese taxes since last summer.
OMG we are all going to die here trapped on this desert island!
Thst is why anyone eith a sq. ft of lland or a few old garden pots/ bins should always grow something . It won’t solve world hunger but if you can go out in your backyard and pick a lime, a pepper, a tomato it will benefit you. Also please buy from local farmers as much as possible.
These mini video series (3-5 min) are for Alaskans, but Caymanians should be prepared as well. They are just as Alaskans depends on food imports.
https://www.ktuu.com/video/?vid=504356552
1. 3 days food supply in a can
2. Deterioration of the port
3. How to deal with ptsd after a natural disaster
4. How to evacuate