GraceKennedy: Jamaica’s biggest brand abroad turns 63 with the nation

When the Jamaican flag was first hoisted in 1962, signaling a bold new era of independence, GraceKennedy had already been quietly laying the groundwork for something even bigger. The company wasn’t just growing a business—it was building a legacy.

- Advertisement -

Sixty-three years later, GraceKennedy remains one of the most powerful symbols of Jamaican pride, success, and perseverance. What started in 1922 as a modest Kingston trading outfit has since evolved into a global conglomerate that touches nearly every aspect of Jamaican life—from the pantry to the bank, from shipping docks to scholarship halls. And while the brand is deeply rooted in the island’s soil, its reach stretches far beyond—into supermarkets, storefronts, and community centers across the diaspora.

GraceKennedy didn’t just grow with Jamaica. In many ways, it grew as Jamaica did—adapting, expanding, and championing the culture wherever Jamaicans call home.

A Legacy Born in Kingston

Founded on February 14, 1922, Grace, Kennedy & Company Limited came to life when Dr. John Grace and Fred William Kennedy took over the local branch of an American trading firm and formed their own company with a modest £25,000 in capital. It started as a small trading and shipping outfit but quickly laid down roots in Kingston’s busy harbor. By the 1930s, the company had branched out into soap making, agricultural processing, and hardware retail—paving the way for decades of diversification.

By the 1990s, GraceKennedy had its eyes set far beyond Jamaica’s shores. The company launched “Vision 2020,” a bold plan to transform from a local trading firm into a global consumer group. Over the years, this vision materialized through strategic investments in banking, insurance, remittance services, and, of course, food. The result? A business empire with over 60 subsidiaries operating across the Caribbean, North America, Europe, and the UK.

Today, GraceKennedy is a household name not just in Jamaica, but among Caribbean communities across the world. Its brands include Hi-Lo Food Stores on the island, Grace Foods in global markets, First Global Bank, and GK Insurance.

Food, Family and the Diaspora

For many Jamaicans living abroad, GraceKennedy is more than a brand—it’s a taste of home. Whether it’s curry powder in Brooklyn, tin mackerel in Toronto, or coconut milk in Birmingham, Grace products are often the first items to appear in Caribbean shopping carts overseas. Among its most popular offerings are Grace corned beef, jerk seasoning, tropical juices, ackee, festival mix, Vienna sausages, and its beloved coconut water.

The company’s food division has long been central to its diaspora strategy, delivering beloved island staples to global markets and preserving culinary traditions far from home.

But GraceKennedy doesn’t just feed communities—it also connects them. Through its remittance arm—Western Union (operated under GraceKennedy Money Services)—the company helps families stay financially linked across borders. For many, it’s the go-to service for sending money home to loved ones, paying tuition, supporting small businesses, or covering emergency needs.

GraceKennedy’s commitment goes far beyond commerce. Under the visionary leadership of the late Don Wehby, the company became a key player in national development. Wehby was widely respected not just as a businessman, but as a patriot with a clear vision for Jamaica’s future.

Whether advocating for good governance, championing education, or funding social interventions, GraceKennedy under Wehby’s stewardship positioned itself as more than just a private sector giant. It became a national stakeholder—one that consistently put people before profit.

Through the GraceKennedy Foundation and its acclaimed Jamaican Birthright Programme, the company has spent decades investing in youth, culture, and education. The Birthright Programme brings diaspora students to Jamaica for immersive internships, giving them a powerful connection to their heritage and an opportunity to contribute to the island’s development.

GraceKennedy also sponsors major diaspora events, partners with Caribbean-led organizations overseas, and funds community-building efforts in cities where large Jamaican populations live. It’s a brand that understands both cultural responsibility and the power of staying connected.

A Brand That Grew With Independence

As Jamaica charted its own course after independence, GraceKennedy followed suit—growing stronger, smarter, and more Jamaican with every step. The company’s journey mirrors that of the nation: grounded in resilience, propelled by ambition, and globally respected.

From food shelves to financial institutions, GraceKennedy has become a pillar of Jamaican identity at home and abroad. It’s a brand that Jamaicans can claim with pride—because it’s not just successful, it’s theirs.

In a major move to expand its international footprint, GraceKennedy acquired La Fe Foods Inc., a well-established Hispanic food company in the United States. With strong distribution across the East Coast and operations in New Jersey, Miami, and Raleigh, La Fe was a perfect fit.

The acquisition gave GraceKennedy a direct route into Hispanic and mainstream retail markets in the U.S., strengthening its supply chain and boosting its already strong North American presence. Under the new GraceKennedy Foods (USA) umbrella, the company continues to build bridges between Caribbean and Latin culinary traditions—further diversifying its offerings while staying true to its roots.

As the island celebrates its 63rd year of independence, GraceKennedy celebrates alongside it—not just as a business, but as a cultural institution. One that has remained grounded in Jamaican values while soaring to global heights. Whether it’s a bottle of hot pepper sauce in London or a scholarship in Kingston, the GraceKennedy name continues to mean something powerful: excellence, heritage, and home.