The inaugural Tropical Fruit Festival is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2026, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park. Photo: Facebook/File

A festival aimed at promoting local fruits both in their fresh and processed state is to be staged in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook

In an interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Organiser of the Tropical Fruit Festival, Arona Viancia Fahie- Forbes stated that she hopes the festival brings greater awareness towards the importance of utilising local fruit. Photo: VINO

The inaugural Tropical Fruit Festival is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2026, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park.

In an interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Arona Viancia Fahie-Forbes, the organiser of the Tropical Fruit Festival, stated that she hopes the festival brings greater awareness to the importance of utilising local fruit.

“Not just in the fresh state, but in a state that would add value to our local food production,” she added.

Promote sustainable food production

Forbes stated that the festival also aims to bring together vendors, producers, and consumers, as well as health organisations, to showcase and indulge in all local fruit, both in the fresh state and in the value-added products that we would be able to see.

The inaugural Tropical Fruit Festival will also promote sustainable food production and healthy foods and diets among virgin islanders. 

Forbes added that the festival also seeks to ensure that vendors gain exposure in their markets.

She is encouraging the local population to come out in large numbers and support the festival.