MBS hosts inaugural pop-up health market
By Deslyn A Joseph The Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) partnered with the Health Ministry on Monday June 1st to launch a pop-up market aimed at fighting rising local chronic illness rates. MBS Communications and Marketing Supervisor Delicia Bonny said the Nevis Street car park event marked Caribbean Nutrition Day. The initiative specifically counters obesity and […]
Black News 
By Deslyn A Joseph
The Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) partnered with the Health Ministry on Monday June 1st to launch a pop-up market aimed at fighting rising local chronic illness rates.
MBS Communications and Marketing Supervisor Delicia Bonny said the Nevis Street car park event marked Caribbean Nutrition Day. The initiative specifically counters obesity and non-communicable diseases by urging citizens to view local food as medicine instead of relying on imported goods packed with preservatives.
“We want to generate more appreciation for our local foods, the flavors, and especially the health benefits,” Bonny told Observer Media. She explained that eating local vegetables, herbs, legumes, and root crops support farmers while building a healthier nation.
The afternoon marketplace was organized to feature a variety of local vendors, including agricultural, vegan, and wellness small businesses. The initiative aims to showcase creative culinary possibilities and inspire citizens to make homegrown ingredients the primary focus of their daily meals, rather than a secondary afterthought.
The market also served as the official launchpad for the MBS June Calendar Challenge, titled “Eat Smart, Live Better.” Organizers distributed seedlings at the event, encouraging patrons to take them home to complete the month’s health challenges which require participants to prepare a healthy meal or snack at least once a week and to experiment with one new plant-based or local recipe weekly.
Looking ahead, Bonny noted that while MBS is always evolving to meet changing public needs, the institution hopes strong community support will transform the Pop-Up Market Day into an annual fixture.
The June nutrition push is intended to kick off a broader, month-by-month wellness campaign by MBS. Upcoming monthly challenges will focus on corporate compliance and digital claims in July and August, followed by specialized health screenings, including prostate cancer awareness in September and breast cancer awareness in October.
