Grenada

		Food For The Poor in Grenada Food For The Poor works in Grenada primarily through donations of goods including: Food Medicine General health care items Educational supplies Agricultural supplies
Food For The Poor ships containers of aid items to Grenada and other Caribbean countries every year.

General Information

	Grenada measures 133 square miles, about 2 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004, causing massive amounts of damage. Recovering from Ivan, and the enormous debt from rebuilding, are not the only issues Grenada is facing. According to the World Bank, 32 percent of Grenadians live in conditions of poverty. Recent government research suggests that most of these households are in rural areas, often in the most inaccessible and sometimes drought-ridden parts of the island.

Unemployment, or underemployment, is the main problem in rural areas. Some of the worst poverty is to be found on former estates, where barracks-like accommodations are still used by rural laborers. In such communities, housing conditions can be extremely rudimentary, with no access to sanitation or other basic services.

Grenada relies on tourism as an important source of income, especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005) severely damaged the agricultural sector – particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation – which had been a key driver of economic growth. Also, economic growth slowed down even more in 2009 because of the global economic slowdown’s effect on tourism and remittances.

History

Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when Columbus discovered the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. Independence was attained in 1974 making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. A Marxist military council seized Grenada on October 19, 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by U.S. forces and those of 6 other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were re-instituted the following year and have continued since that time.

Interesting Facts

• Grenada is made up of one large island and 6 smaller islands known as the “Grenadines.”
• Grenada is also known as the “Island of Spice” due to the production of nutmeg and mace crops of which Grenada is one of the world’s largest exporters.
• The island has also pioneered the cultivation of organic cocoa which is processed into finished bars by the Grenada Chocolate Company.
• The “oildown” is considered to be the national dish. The phrase “oildown” refers to a dish cooked in coconut milk until all the milk is absorbed, leaving a bit of coconut oil in the bottom of the pot. This dish is a common tradition at beach gatherings.
• The most popular attraction in Grenada would be their beaches; Dr. Grooms Beach, Morne Rouge, Levera and Bathway Beach and Grand Anse Beach.
• Grand Etang Rainforest is the perfect setting for a hike over winding paths and to witness the cascading Annadale waterfalls.
• The Italian cruise liner Bianca C accidentally caught fire and sank in St. George’s harbor in 1961. The Christ of the Deep statue commemorates the courage of the Grenadian people who saved the lives of the passengers on board the ship.
• Carib’s Leap, also known as Leaper’s Hill, is where scores of Caribs jumped to their deaths to avoid being enslaved by the French.
• Kick’em Jenny is a historically active submarine volcano 8 kilometers off the north shore of Grenada and it rises 1300 meters from the sea floor.
• The “A Night Of Love” concert takes place every year on Mothers Day. This year Queen Ifrica, Freddie McGregor, and Percy Sledge were among the performers.

Demographics