NAP program receives over 100 pounds of tomatoes from NMC-CREES

The Nutrition Assistance Program received a donation of about 100 lbs of tomatoes from the Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research, Extension & Education Services yesterday for distribution under the local food stamp program.

NAP administrator Walter Macaranas received the donation from Dr. Virendra M. Verma, program leader and specialist (horticulture/crop) of the Agricultural Program of CREES. According to Verma, the tomatoes were harvested from the CREES Agriculture Development and Research Farm in As Perdido. The farm grows various types of tomatoes such as big beef, Florida, dixie red, nature bite, regal plum, cherry plum, bellini, and bluish tiger.

Macaranas thanked Verman, NMC-CREES dean Patrica Coleman, and the staff of NMC-CREES for the donation. According to Macaranas, the tomatoes, which were pre-packaged by CREES, were immediately distributed to NAP recipients as they were getting their NAP benefits through the drive-thru line.

“The recipients were amazed by the nice, bright red tomatoes and were very happy to receive them” he added.

NMC-CREES grew nine varieties of tomatoes as part of the research trial under the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded research project.

“The main focus of this research project is to ensure the yearround availability of high-quality fresh produce to enhance the food and nutritional security in the CNMI,” said Verma.
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Aside from NAP, NMC-CREES has also donated tomatoes to the Empty Vessel Ministry Foundation, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Commonwealth Health Care Corp., and Kanoa Resort.