Survey samples Belizean eating habits
Chicken…it’s what’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Belize cause face it, as a people, we stick with what works. But for the few among us who don’t know that riceandbeanschickenandsalad is one word, this week, the Ministry of Agriculture is conducting a survey of our kitchens to find out exactly what we’re eating and how much of it. According to statistical officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alfonso Bautista, such information is crucial on both a national level and, on an individual basis.
Alfonso Bautista, Statistical Officer, Min. of Agriculture
“We asking them household consumption, what they eat exactly. For example, rice, what amount of rice they use per day, beans, meats: chicken or beef.”
Janelle Chanona
“How do people react to these questions?”
Alfonso Bautista
“Well, I know that they are asking what’s the purpose of the information, so we need to respond to that so that they’ll be able to say okay, its true and they give us the information.”
Janelle Chanona
“What will you do with the information?”
Alfonso Bautista
“This information will help us improve our statistical data as well as G.D.P. statistics in the ministry, as well as whenever we have a disaster, you know we are in the season, the season is not up yet, you can’t not expect anything. But that will help us determine the consumption by district, as well as the country on a whole.”
Janelle Chanona
“I know you’ve done this study in Orange Walk and Corozal already. What have you found?”
Alfonso Bautista
“I’ve found there is a lot of consumption of rice, beans, chicken. Less on beef and pork, but mostly, mostly chicken, chicken, fry chicken, or whatever chicken.” (laughs)
One representative from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be visiting more than three hundred households in Belize City, while Bautista will be making his own stops at kitchens throughout villages in the Belize District.
