Garfield

I am originally from Jamaica and my roots are the heart of Island Flava Caribbean Grocery & Meat Inc. I created this business to bring the authentic flavors and ingredients of the Caribbean to Jacksonville, Florida where it is hard to find real, quality island food. This is not just a business to me; it is part of my culture and identity.

What motivates me every day is seeing the joy on customers’ faces when they find products they grew up with things they have not seen in years. My goal is to provide not just groceries but a sense of home for people in the Caribbean community and beyond. I am passionate about making sure people have access to fresh, culturally familiar food, especially in an area considered a food desert.

Starting this business has been far from easy. The building we are in had been vacant for 16 years and never occupied. We were charged rent even before getting city approvals and had no internet access for six months because underground infrastructure had to be built from scratch. On top of that, management companies kept changing and we were still expected to pay during months we could not legally open.

Still, I never gave up. I believe in Island Flava and what it offers to this community. With this loan, I will be able to restock inventory, upgrade equipment, and recover from the early setbacks caused by the building delays. I am determined to keep pushing forward because this business is my way of giving back and staying connected to my Jamaican heritage.