TASTEE Limited, Jamaica's foremost patty company, is now firmly established in 14 schools across the island and is exploring the possibility of getting into others as the company continues to expand under this new business model adopted in September 2011.
Under the S-CAP, monies are also allocated to student welfare and sports programmes.
Tastee, in a news release, said it was cognisant of its corporate social responsibilities "and endeavours to remain a leader in not only unearthing talents through our talent contest but also through donations and scholarships to students at all levels in the education sector".
The 14 schools in which Tastee now operates canteens are Wolmer's Boys', Wolmer's Girls', Wolmer's Preparatory, Mountain View Primary, Excelsior Primary, Kingston College, St George's College, Herbert Morrison High, Irwin High, Jose Marti High, Knox Community College, Tarrant High, Vauxhall High, and Meadowbrook High.
"Our involvement in these 14 schools is not only a testament of our commitment to providing nutritional value to our children, but also to contribute to the many programmes the schools have in place, such as PATH, staff welfare, and sport initiatives," said Ryan Foster, chief operations officer.
"Tastee has always been big on corporate philanthropy, which is evident through our talent show, our recent sponsorship of $3.5 million for the KSAFA Under-17 as well as our Tastee scholarships for the UWI Development and Endowment Fund, which represents the largest package of scholarships from a single company in the portfolio of awards," he added.
The assistance the company gives to Vauxhall High School was praised by Principal Angela Chaplain.
"Tastee is very supportive of all our programmes here at Vauxhall," she said. "You really get a sense that they care for the children and they have developed real relationships with them. They are a corporate giver, who will be there to support our programmes with not only their donations, scholarships, and assistance, but through coming to our events such as our sports day, even participating and being a part of the school family."
One grade 10 student, Chevanee Beepott, was moved to commend the patty company for investing in her school. "The Tastee canteen is always clean and there are many choices on the menu from which to choose. They also help students with free lunches and school fees, since not every student here can afford it," she said.
Margaret Campbell, principal of St George's College, described Tastee as very accommodating and said that the relationship between the students who access the canteen and its staff is flexible.
"Tastee is very sensitive to the needs of the students and that is a major selling point for us. They understand the needs of schools and go above and beyond to accommodate students and administrative requests," she said.
Campbell explained that Tastee has been operating in the school for two years and that the relationship goes beyond the canteen operations. "We receive assistance from Tastee on several fronts, including support for our Sigma walk, scholarships to students, and assistance to our sports programme," she said.
Leighton Manhertz, canteen manager at St George's, also agreed that Tastee is making an impact on the school community. "The students appreciate the menu, not only for the subsidised cost but also for the nutritional value available in Tastee products," he said.
Lorna Daley, bursar at Wolmer's Girls' School, had similar sentiments.
"Tastee and Wolmer's Girls' have a beneficial understanding. The menu being offered include from patties to a wide range of meals for the students," Daley said.
Jamal Tugman, Tastee's public relations officer, said that the company believes it is important to maintain good corporate and social responsibility.
He explained that Tastee has been giving back to the community through education, even in its early years, and as the company grows, so will its appetite to give back.
At the same time, Tastee has committed to granting scholarships to students this academic year under its School Concessionaire Assistance Programme (S-CAP) through which it has already contributed in excess of $32 million.
Grade 10 student at Vauxhall High School Janoi (centre) shares a joke during lunchtime with his classmates (from left) Latoya, Tivonni, Sashea and Shovannay outside the Tastee canteen at the school.
Vauxhall High School students purchasing their lunch inside the Tastee canteen recently.
    Grade 10 student at Vauxhall High School Janoi (centre) shares a joke during lunchtime with his classmates (from left) Latoya, Tivonni, Sashea and Shovannay outside the Tastee canteen at the school. #slideshowtoggler, #slideshowtoggler a, #slideshowtoggler img {filter:none !important;zoom:normal !important}  1/2  |
Tastee, in a news release, said it was cognisant of its corporate social responsibilities "and endeavours to remain a leader in not only unearthing talents through our talent contest but also through donations and scholarships to students at all levels in the education sector".
The 14 schools in which Tastee now operates canteens are Wolmer's Boys', Wolmer's Girls', Wolmer's Preparatory, Mountain View Primary, Excelsior Primary, Kingston College, St George's College, Herbert Morrison High, Irwin High, Jose Marti High, Knox Community College, Tarrant High, Vauxhall High, and Meadowbrook High.
"Our involvement in these 14 schools is not only a testament of our commitment to providing nutritional value to our children, but also to contribute to the many programmes the schools have in place, such as PATH, staff welfare, and sport initiatives," said Ryan Foster, chief operations officer.
"Tastee has always been big on corporate philanthropy, which is evident through our talent show, our recent sponsorship of $3.5 million for the KSAFA Under-17 as well as our Tastee scholarships for the UWI Development and Endowment Fund, which represents the largest package of scholarships from a single company in the portfolio of awards," he added.
The assistance the company gives to Vauxhall High School was praised by Principal Angela Chaplain.
"Tastee is very supportive of all our programmes here at Vauxhall," she said. "You really get a sense that they care for the children and they have developed real relationships with them. They are a corporate giver, who will be there to support our programmes with not only their donations, scholarships, and assistance, but through coming to our events such as our sports day, even participating and being a part of the school family."
One grade 10 student, Chevanee Beepott, was moved to commend the patty company for investing in her school. "The Tastee canteen is always clean and there are many choices on the menu from which to choose. They also help students with free lunches and school fees, since not every student here can afford it," she said.
Margaret Campbell, principal of St George's College, described Tastee as very accommodating and said that the relationship between the students who access the canteen and its staff is flexible.
"Tastee is very sensitive to the needs of the students and that is a major selling point for us. They understand the needs of schools and go above and beyond to accommodate students and administrative requests," she said.
Campbell explained that Tastee has been operating in the school for two years and that the relationship goes beyond the canteen operations. "We receive assistance from Tastee on several fronts, including support for our Sigma walk, scholarships to students, and assistance to our sports programme," she said.
Leighton Manhertz, canteen manager at St George's, also agreed that Tastee is making an impact on the school community. "The students appreciate the menu, not only for the subsidised cost but also for the nutritional value available in Tastee products," he said.
Lorna Daley, bursar at Wolmer's Girls' School, had similar sentiments.
"Tastee and Wolmer's Girls' have a beneficial understanding. The menu being offered include from patties to a wide range of meals for the students," Daley said.
Jamal Tugman, Tastee's public relations officer, said that the company believes it is important to maintain good corporate and social responsibility.
He explained that Tastee has been giving back to the community through education, even in its early years, and as the company grows, so will its appetite to give back.