mother of five formerly of Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is seeking more markets for her casareep, which is branded under ‘Pomeroon Cassava Casreep’ bottled by Denis Campbell.
Lorleen Boston and her father Denis Campbell standing in front of her stall
Lorleen Boston and father Denis Campbell, 54, had started the business almost a year ago selling casareep, oranges and various tree barks.
Standing in the sweltering heat at the Anna Regina Market, Boston said that she would like to source more markets for her casareep. Currently business is slow due to the inability to access profitable and steady market. The mother vends daily at the Anna Regina old market. When asked what makes her casareep different from the other agro-processors, she said the ‘thickness’, ‘flavour’ and ‘spices’.
“This casareep is different, the juice is boiled until it is reduced by half in volume, to the consistency of molasses; it is just as thick.”
She told Guyana Times that it is her desire to see her business prosper with more markets through better packaging and her cassreep reaching more housewives. She related that when she gets busy with her children and schooling, her aunt usually assists her in boiling the casareep.
She also related that when there is a high demand for casareep she employs persons from the Amerindian community of Manwarine. The vendor also disclosed she sources casareep from other persons who manufacture it.
“You see many Amerindian women are mostly home, they have nothing to do but they make casareep, they don’t have the time to sell, so I also assist those women in selling their casareep,” Boston added.
The mother said that she started the business so she could be more independent and provide better for her children: “I want to be self-sufficient, independent and earn my own money; and I can only do this if I start my own business.”
She awakens as early as 04:00h every morning to catch an early bus to reach market on time to sell her casareep. The family is presently living at Charity Squatting area.
Her father told this newspaper he assists his daughter in the labelling process. The father of six explained that the small bottle sells for $500 and the large $1500. Gallon quantities are also available based on ‘order’.
