Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has donated a container of fresh produce food supplies intended for Fred Olsen Cruises to support local charities in Barbados.

Following news of port cancellations, the container comprising 18 pallets featuring 17,589kgs of chilled fruit and vegetables was left in Bridgetown. Determined that it wouldn’t go to waste, the cruise line decided to work with the Barbados port to donate its contents to a number of local charities, including the YMCA, Barbados Homeless Society and The Red Cross, as well as the Salvation Army and St. Dominic’s Catholic Church children’s feeding programme.

Speaking about the gesture, Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

 “We did not want this container of perfectly good fresh produce to go to waste, as there are so many deserving causes in Barbados, and we knew that they could make use of it to benefit a great many local people in these difficult and challenging times.

“We are just happy that we were able to help to make a difference on the island in this small way, and we thank our partners in Barbados for making this happen.”

Senator Lisa Cummins, Chairman of the Barbados Port, described the donation as one of the wonderful stories to come out of difficult times:

“We very much appreciate this donation and engaged with local partners like the YWCA, who have local feeding programs. We have been able to provide food supplies for 130 families and boosted The Red Cross ‘Meals on Wheels Program’, giving valuable support to our most vulnerable families.

“During this crisis, we have had no end of traumatic stories. But we have also had wonderful stories of people helping others in difficult times. This is one of those wonderful stories. Thank you to the Fred. Olsen team on behalf of the Barbados Port and our local communities for making this special donation.”

Share this on: