Tastee Ltd has aspired to provide great-tasting food and beverages to its customers island-wide. Through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, the company has always strived to create great experiences with the brand and to be a good neighbour and partner in the local communities where they operate.
The mantra of the company is simple, ‘being a force for good.’ This notion of “good” has always been an important part of their heritage and it’s an equally important part of their future. The company is committed to working toward a tomorrow, where quality food and balanced choices, are accessible and affordable to all. Throughout its 50 years of existence, the company has built a rigorous CSR programme where millions of dollars are donated via cash and products to various charities and individuals.
The company has spent in excess of $350 million dollars in the Jamaican economy through the Tastee Talent Contest which began in 1979 and culminated with its final show in 2013. It is the company’s aim to continue giving back to Jamaica by ensuring that its actions and ambitions are both holistic and outcome-based. In addition to donating cash and kind, the company has also grown very strong in sponsorships.
Following its continued dedication to youth and sports, Tastee Ltd. has spent the last 10 years being a part of the JISA school competitions via netball, football and track and field. This year, Tastee Ltd. became title sponsors for the JISA National Prep Championships and have sponsored $4 million in cash to the competition. An additional $400,000 in scholarships was also paid over in to the top class three (3) and two (2) boys and girls from the track and field competition. Jacqueline Mais-Latore, mother of Alexia Latore, who received a scholarship based on her performances at the JISA/Tastee National Prep Schools Athletics Championships earlier this year, commended Tastee for the assistance they provided towards her education.
Alexia was the overall champion girl for class 3. “I just want to express my thank you for such great help with this J $100, 000 which was aided vastlytowards her education at school. Thanks a million and God bless you,” Mais-Latore noted.
On September 2 nd 2016 another gesture was made towards the citizens of this country, as a cash donation was made to the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB) to aid with the renovation of their kitchen as most of the kitchen appliances are in a terrible condition. The JSB’s Adjustment to Blindness Programme was established for the sole purpose of assisting individuals adjust to the condition of blindness and visual impairment.
Daemion McClean, Chairman of the Jamaica Society for the Blind stated that the cash donation from Tastee Limited was significant as it demonstrates how through Corporate Social Responsibility, companies like Tastee Limited are able to better the lives of the blind and visually impaired community. “It is important for this kindness to be highlighted because to be afflicted with blindness is not unique with the strata of society and it can happen to anyone of us,” McClean said. “Tastee through its contribution towards the enhancement of our kitchen, will better facilitate our daily living skills programme as we thrive to equip blind and visually impaired individuals with the daily skills necessary to survive,” he continued.
The company on its notion of being a force for good, also offers scholarships at the University of the West Indies (Mona) (UWI), the University of Technology Jamaica and the Mico University College.
Tastee’s dedication to philanthropy is highlighted at the UWI through its commitment to education in the areas of Law, Food and Beverage and Accounting and Management, which began in 1996. Assistance is provided through the UWI Development and Endowment Fund where scholarships are offered annually. For the University of Technology, scholarships are awarded in the areas of Engineering, both the diploma and degree programme, in addition to the degree programme at the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. At the Mico Teachers College, three scholarships are awarded annually to students in the areas of Special Education and Guidance & Counselling. The overall scholarships awarded at these universities are valued from $50,000.00 – $350,000.00.
The company continuously donates to various non-profit organisations such as Food for the Poor
through its annual showcase where thousands of patties are donated annually for resale. The
Mustard Seed Communities and other organisations have also benefitted greatly from Tastee Ltd.’s
generosity.
The company promises to continuously challenge the status quo by working hard, to finding even better
ways to be a force for good.
