But how did the Ministry hook up with MP Farms? Yes, the Mira family has long been known as vegetable vendors, but was the CEO steered to choose them as suppliers? We asked him:
Jules Vasquez
"How was MP farms selected? Were you actually were you directed to them?"
Francis Usher, CEO - Ministry of Defence and Border Security
"No. So they were they were supplying before I became, before I became CEO, they were supplying, some items and they were one of the companies that, were not, there were reports written about some of the other companies. And so by virtue of that, the amount of allocation that they received increased, they were reached out to via email and asked if can you provide X, y, and Z?"
"They said, yes, we ensured we got value for money. But at no point was I directed to use MP farms."
Jules Vasquez
"Since Mr Mira is no longer the Minister of Defence, do you all continue to use MP farms, or Mira related companies?"
Francis Usher, CEO - Ministry of Defence and Border Security
"So MP farms currently for this year won the bid for supplying grains: rice, beans and flour I believe."
"They did not win any of the dry goods lots which were what they were providing last year. In addition to grains, I believe. So they didn't win any of the dry goods. But they did win another lot."
