SISTER GLO’S www.foodanddrink-caribbean.com 110
All a GLOW
for Jams & Jellies
G
loria David, proprietor of Sister Glo’s Jams & Jellies, had a vision and a destiny. Fueled with passion and determination, her destiny is being fulfilled.
a high standard and encouraging her to keep up the good work. Through the Ministry she received certain concessions and training which helped to improve the quality of her product.
At a young age, Gloria (affectionately known as Sister Glo) showed signs of being an entrepreneur. She and her siblings were able to garner pocket change from the sale of fruits grown around their home. Later in life, selling fruits became more than a hobby it became a business.
Sister Glo was also helped by an introduction to Karen and Kenny Hymel who assisted her in overcoming the hurdles experienced with the bottling and packaging of her products and encouraged her to manufacture additional products that could also be bottled. So it was that the production line began to expand.
Production began in the 80’s with a Guava Puree. The semiproduction of the puree presented many challenges and although passionate about her craft, Sister Glo began to despair. However with faith and encouragement from family and friends she pressed on. Guava Jelly and Guava Cheese soon joined the production line and began to show up on the shelves of superettes and supermarkets such as Luther Lee’s, Cornwall’s, Dews and Shoprite.
With the expansion of the line, Sister Glo also felt that she needed to move away from the kitchen in her home. Although not originally her idea the plans and construction for the new production facility began to take shape.
Before long, the Ministry of Trade began to show interest in her business. Mr. Elroy Turner, a Trade Officer with the Ministry, gave Sister Glo a great mental boost by assuring her that her products were of
To date, Sister Glo’s Jams & Jellies produces Jams, Jellies, Marmalade, Stewed Fruits, Chutney, and other by-products; all from its new facility. A Noni Health Drink is also available. And although there is still much to be done, Sister Glo feels she has accomplished a great deal. She remains faithful and knows that she will complete what she has started. Gloria “Sister Glo” David has been a participating contestant in the IICA Most Outstanding Agro-Processor Award since the conception of the competition in 2006. She won 3rd place 2007, 2nd place 2009 and 1st place 2010.