In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the GraceKennedy Group (GK) is standing with Jamaica as the nation begins the long journey of recovery.

Last week, GK announced that it had mobilised to support hundreds of its team members in the parishes hardest hit by the storm and was working diligently to restore full operations across the island.

This week, the food and financial services conglomerate has gone a step further, unveiling the details of its comprehensive Hurricane Melissa relief programme, which is focused on four key pillars: food, cash availability, health and wellness, and education and valued at over J$200 million.

Group chief executive Frank James explained, “The past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for Jamaica as we face the devastation left by Hurricane Melissa. It has been heartbreaking to witness the loss of homes, livelihoods, and stability across the island. Our entire GK Family, at home and abroad, extends our deepest sympathy to those affected. As we shaped our response to the immense need created by this catastrophe, our priority has remained clear – to support our team and to help Jamaica get back on its feet. Even amid the hardship, we have seen such extraordinary resilience, and GK remains committed to helping families, communities, and our nation rebuild stronger than before.”

In conjunction with several of its business partners, including Frito-Lay (PepsiCo), Western Union, Fonterra, B. Terfloth, MF Foods, and Proctor & Gamble, GK is supporting relief efforts through the donation of food, water, and hygiene supplies.

This includes a donation valued at J$20 million to the private sector-led initiative being coordinated by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, which, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), is delivering assistance to the Jamaican communities hardest hit by Melissa.

GraceKennedy has also been providing discounted pricing on relief items and supplying local and international organisations working in affected communities with food products to support their efforts. This includes World Central Kitchen, which has been serving thousands of hot meals to residents in the most affected parishes.

Through its GraceKennedy Foundation food bank relief initiative, GK has also been directly distributing care packages to affected communities.

“What began as a way to assist our GK team members and their families in western Jamaica following the storm has grown into a nationwide effort. We have distributed over 1300 packages to date, and another 1,500 are scheduled for delivery this week,” said Gail Moss-Solomon, General Counsel & Chief Corporate Secretary of GraceKennedy Limited, who has been leading the coordination of the Group’s relief efforts.   

Each GKF Food Bank package provides enough supplies to feed a family of four for one week, bringing comfort to households in need.

GraceKennedy’s financial services companies have also played a vital role in restoring access to cash across the country. GraceKennedy Money Services and First Global Bank worked tirelessly to reopen locations within days of the storm’s passage. GKMS/Western Union also waived remittance fees on select channels, including transfers to bank accounts and mobile wallets, while FGB has introduced special unsecured recovery loans to help small businesses rebuild.

Under its health and wellness pillar, GK has been supporting immediate needs such as medical supplies and clean water, including a donation of bottled water to the Cornwall Regional and Falmouth hospitals as one of the company’s earliest interventions following the hurricane.

GK has also been providing counselling services and emotional support to its team members who are coping with trauma, displacement, and loss in the wake of Melissa’s devastation.

As the country transitions from emergency relief to recovery, GK will shift its focus to building resilience. Amid a disrupted school year, the company is strengthening its education initiatives by re-equipping its homework centres and partner schools in western Jamaica to help students resume learning and access the tools and resources they need to continue their studies.

Continuing its focus on food, GK will also extend support to its partner farming communities to help rebuild Jamaica’s agricultural production and strengthen the nation’s food security.

“At GraceKennedy, we are guided by our ‘We Care’ ethos,” said James. “Melissa is a test of our resilience, but it also reminds us that the power of togetherness is a force stronger than any hurricane. GK will continue to stand with Jamaica by feeding families, securing access to critical financial resources, supporting health and wellness, and strengthening communities through education and agricultural resilience, helping our nation rebuild stronger than before.”