I like being the traveler. I like to throw myself into new places, new countries, and be out of my comfort zone and see if eventually, I can land on my feet, life and limb intact. I have done this the better part of my adult life. I think that the main reason I like this sensation so much is that I like to look around in a new place and see it through the fresh eyes that come with being the outsider. Everything seems interesting and unexplored.
The main reason I started this blog is that it gives me the opportunity to see my own community through the eyes of the traveler. Everything is new. I have loved wandering through dusty markets in Morocco, Bolivia, Kenya, Niger, and plenty of other places, appreciating all of the sights. However, I don’t tend to see my home with the same open eyes, and I want to. As I have been thinking about the places and people I want to highlight, the first thing I thought of is a grocery store.
I know.. not so exciting, right? But this is Tropical Fresh. Right in the heart of downtown Poughkeepsie, it just opened in November, 2013. Why is this noteworthy? Well there are several things.
First, Tropical Fresh isn’t the average grocery store. It seems to be set up to primarily serve the West Indian and Latino community. I spent two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, so one of the things that was appealing to me about moving here was the strong West Indian (mostly Jamaican) community. I will admit, I haven’t felt as connected here as I did when I lived in Brooklyn and worked at the corner of Flatbush Ave. and Church St. and could get my doubles every day when I left work. So I was thrilled when I first walked into the store several months back and found so many staple foods that I associate so strongly with and remember so fondly from that time and place in my life.
A few photos:
Breadfruit. Best charred on an open fire, peeled and sliced. Nice side dish for saltfish and bakes served on a beach. Last cooked on the flames on my stove, then gently fried in canola oil and salted. Crispy and slightly sweet. Yum.
You can’t see it very well, but I think this is “real” callaloo- the leaves of the dasheen and not that Jamaican kind. Looks really fresh too.
Anyone care for a pepper selection?
Ground provisions, ground provisions. Eddo, tannion, dasheen yucca, and plenty more.
Saltfish. Best served while sitting with your toes in white sand under the shade of a coconut tree, while looking out over the Caribbean sea with music. However, the great thing about salted fish is that it can be good anywhere. It needs bakes though, and I wish I could remember how to make them.
Two kinds of mangos and plantains. Of course.
Yes, that is Chief curry, made in Trinidad. Pretty much the foundation of everything. Makes me want to bus up a pot. Needs coconut milk.
And last, for the fish. Again, this might not be special in other places. Plenty of these sorts of situations to be found in Whole Foods and such, but this is downtown Poughkeepsie. Great fish mongers, great fish. Makes me feel like I am at the market and I have to resist the urge to haggle so I don’t get the white lady price.
Of course, what would any market of this sort be without the requisite hot pepper sauces. You will notice the range here is from the West Indies, through Central America and Mexico, then straight to Korea. Kudos.
And last, but not least, bitter melon. What this heck is bitter melon? Anyone? Outside of my wheelhouse, but I would love to learn more.
Here is the second reason why Tropical Fresh is one of the things that makes Poughkeepsie great. You may or may not know that parts of the city of Poughkeepsie are identified as a food desert. Food deserts are defined as parts of the country “vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods… This is largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy food providers.” According to a report released by the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO) at the State University of New York at New Paltz, in their 2014 report, “Poughkeepsie Plenty: A Community Food Assessment.”
Over one in four (26 percent) City of Poughkeepsie households experienced food insecurity, including eleven percent that are food insecure with hunger. A majority (60 percent) of all City of Poughkeepsie households earning $15,000 or less annually were food insecure.
The location of food stores is a leading contributor to food insecurity. The city has only two grocery stores, both located near the eastern edge of the city limits. About one in ten (12 percent) of city households did not make most of their food purchases at supermarkets or grocery stores. Indeed, two of the city’s ten census tracts qualify as food deserts or areas in which 33 percent of the population (at least 500 people) resides more than one mile from a supermarket.”
This assessment took place by and large, before Tropical Fresh opened up. It fills a niche not only for my own nostalgic memories and fancies, but for the sake of providing fresh nutritious fruits, vegetables, meats and staples within walking distance of many of the city residents. According to the same report above, “food insecurity characterizes 44 percent of the city households that rely on some other means [than car] to go food shopping.” Also, the city bus has a four bag limit for passengers, so transportation is a major issue. This really matters! I was hoping I would get to talk to the owner today of Tropical Fresh to find out more about his story, but he wasn’t there.
So there you have it. Tropical Fresh, right on Main Street between Hamilton and Clinton is another thing that makes Poughkeepsie great. I hope they do well and get lots of support and business.
Additional Information:
Poughkeepsie Plenty. Coalition for Food Equality in our City.
Dutchess Outreach. Beverly Closs Food Pantry.
“Poughkeepsie facing ‘food insecurity’ SUNY New Paltz research center says.” Daily Freeman. March 3, 2014.
Poughkeepsie is Great 