Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has said that he will observe World Food Day on October 16, with farmers and fishers at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza in Road Town.

Honourable Wheatley said, “Every week, farmers and fishers consistently set up at the plaza to offer local produce for sale. This is the foundation to providing a stable and nutritious food supply.  This is what World Food Day celebrates.”

Observance of the day will commence with an opening ceremony and presentations by select Government agencies and members from the farming and fishing community. Farmers and fishers will also be on hand to sell their produce and promote their services.

Permanent Secretary Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe is inviting the Virgin Islands’ community to attend the event and support the farmers and fishers. “I am looking forward to this year’s World Food Day activities, and I am inviting the community to come out and participate by supporting our local producers. I salute those who continue to farm and fish in our Territory and encourage others to start taking actions to increase local production so that we can indeed live better lives”.

This year’s observance of World Food Day will be held under the theme, “Our actions are our future - better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life”. The observation will culminate on Saturday, October 23 with activities organised by the Ministry of Health and Social Development, focusing on the nutritional aspect of this year’s theme.

World Food Day is observed around the world on October 16 which marked the creation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.  The commemoration of this day is celebrated by more than 150 countries including the Virgin Islands.