Food Production Manager Lloyd Williams has defended the high cost of locally produced food in the Virgin Islands as compared to imported foods. Photo:Facebook

World Food Day will be observed on October 17, 2025, under the theme 'Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future'. Photo: Internet Source

In a GIS report for World Food Day on Friday, October 3, 2025, Williams stated, "the mere fact that it is fresh, healthy. It takes a lot more to get it produced locally."

He explained that the soil texture and hilly terrain across the Virgin Islands make it more challenging for farmers to cultivate food. "And so, they have to use a lot more different types of methods to bring out the quality of products that they're looking for," he added.

When comparing local and imported foods, Williams remarked, "We get inferior food from overseas, and so the cost is down, but to get the healthy, we have to buy local."

World Food Day

His comments were made ahead of World Food Day, which will be observed on October 17, 2025, under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”

Williams emphasised that this year’s theme highlights the importance of collaboration among departments. 

"Hand in hand, meaning the department, meaning consumers, farmers, fishers, working together to produce the best food now, for a few generations to come, and so that we can live longer, and enjoy the benefit from local, fresh produce."

He also mentioned that activities planned for this year's observance of World Food Day include a market day and a food fair, set to take place at Noel Lloyd's Positive Action Movement, starting at 10:oo AM on October 17, 2025.