NASSAU, Bahamas: In commemoration of World Food Day on October 16th, the Department of Agriculture donated a number of food items to local charities and churches.

In a presentation ceremony on October 15th, the organizations received eggs, locally made jams, breadfruit trees, live chicken and fertilizers.

The organizations represented included the Ranfurly Homes for Children, the Christian Community Group, the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys, the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls, Bahamas Faith Ministries, Salem Baptist Church and Family of Faith Ministries.

Parliamentary Secretary the Hon. Leonardo Lightbourne was on hand to assist with the donations. According to Mr. Lightbourne, the government intends to continue to push the National Emergency Food Production Plan with a view to expanding at-home food production throughout the country.

“The eggs we have today are the product of the layer egg program where more than 30,000 layer birds were brought into the country and distributed to farmers at no charge. A portion of the birds were kept here at GRAC for observation and research and have produced the eggs we have here today,” he said.

“The breadfruit trees were donated by the Trees that Feed Foundation.  They are of the Ma’afala variety out of Samoa. These trees were especially selected for our region as they are sturdier and grow low enough to escape the effects of high winds associated with hurricanes. Breadfruit is an excellent carbohydrate substitute for rice and potatoes and grow at a very sustainable pace. We are sure these plants will be a welcomed additions to any farm.”

He also encouraged recipients of the donations to join the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs’ fight for food security by farming.

“The move toward zero hunger must begin with greater participation of our citizenry in the supply of food. The more we farm, the more we produce and the more we can tackle the problem of hunger more directly and meaningfully,” Mr. Lightbourne said. 

Bahamas Faith Ministries Associate Pastor Patrick Rolle said the donation will go a long way in assisting the organization.

“I think this morning is significant because as we drive around and go to the food stores, our food supplies are shrinking. It is very important because as we talk about feeding ourselves as individuals and organizations, we do something to enhance that. And I think the gift that we are receiving this morning will go a long way in starting for some of us, complimenting what we have already and enhancing the self-efficiency that we are trying to accomplish,” he said.

BFM established its own farm on the grounds of the organisation in 2020 with a grant of supplies from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Simpson Penn Centre for Boys Superintendent Chadwick James shared similar sentiments.

“We thank God for the Department of Agriculture and this presentation that they made to us because during the COVID experience, we have been allowing the boys to do a whole lot of planting to make our country even better,” he said.

“We’ve already started growing tomatoes, sweet peppers, peas and even strawberries and so this breadfruit and banana trees will be added to our farm. We thank God for people who have the vision because we are at a place now where we need to be self-sufficient especially with our feeding and so I want to thank God for the people at the Department of Agriculture.” 

World Food Day will be commemorated in over 150 countries around the world and is a program of the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations.

Press Contact: Kendea Smith

KendeaSmith@bahamas.gov.bs