I’m Jessica Chand, the owner of Vanilla Plant Based Kitchen.
I wanted to get in touch with the Times to say how grateful I am that you have taken the time to allow me to tell the truth about what happened with the recent presence of my business in the media.
Through your article published Feb 20, ‘Reporting errors leave bad taste in the mouth’, you have helped to restore my trust that journalism can be relied on as a strong source of information and is truly in existence as an outlet for factual information to serve the community.
Since the release of your piece last week, which is proudly displayed in my shop window, the support from the community has been overwhelming.
We have had people who normally wouldn’t come in, pop in for a coffee to share their views on the matter and assert how appalled they were that news outlets could publish such slanderous articles without consequences. You have helped to bring to light a much bigger issue of irresponsible journalism that has become all too common.
Overwhelmingly, to feel the support of our local news outlet and community has given me hope and energy, and I am so very grateful to you and the wider community that have shown up for my small business.
Every act of kindness and support is bigger than the entire ordeal, and that is what I will remember from this situation. It’s a business, but it is a very personal matter for me.
Jessica Chand, Vanilla Plant Based Kitchen, Howick
