ZHTF Marks 10 Years with Call for Deeper Food System Transformation 

By S.Browne. Updated 1:37 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF) has marked its 10th anniversary with a renewed focus on transforming the country’s food system, as stakeholders emphasised that the next decade must go beyond feeding programmes to building long-term resilience.

The event, held on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the UWI Global Campus, also launched the Fund’s anniversary activities and first National Zero Hunger Dialogue, bringing together government officials, regional partners, educators, and community representatives to reflect on progress while confronting the challenges that remain.

Delivering the welcome remarks, Director and Chief Executive Officer Safiya Horne-Bique said that while the Fund has made meaningful strides over the past decade, the nature of hunger has evolved. She noted that food insecurity is no longer simply about availability, but also affordability, access, and the ability of households to consistently secure nutritious food.

Over the past ten years, the Fund has supported school feeding programmes, expanded access to backyard and community food production, and provided assistance to vulnerable households, including the elderly. It has also invested in youth engagement through agricultural training and development initiatives, helping to position food systems as a space for innovation and opportunity.

Regional partners highlighted St. Vincent and the Grenadines as an example of how coordinated national action can advance food security. Ms. Selvine Stephenson-Grant of the CARICOM Secretariat said the country’s approach aligns with regional efforts to reduce food imports and strengthen agri-food systems, particularly through initiatives that support production at the household level. Similarly, Dr. Renata Clarke of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations described the Fund as one of the more effective mechanisms in the Caribbean, while also pointing to ongoing challenges such as the high cost of a healthy diet and persistent nutrition-related health issues.

Minister of Education Dr. Phillip Jackson underscored the importance of nutrition in human development, linking proper diet to brain function, energy levels, and student performance. Drawing on his background in biology, he stressed that food security must be understood not only as a social issue but as a critical component of educational outcomes. He also highlighted the importance of balancing social support with efforts to build self-reliance among households.

Minister of Tourism Dr. Kishore Shallow pointed to the role of food security within the broader economy, noting that local food production must also support the tourism sector. He said that strengthening agriculture presents an opportunity not only to improve national resilience but also to enhance the country’s economic prospects.

Throughout the event, speakers emphasised that food security requires a coordinated, whole-of-society approach involving government, communities, private sector stakeholders, and young people. The launch of initiatives such as an essay, art, and photography competition was also aimed at encouraging youth participation in shaping future solutions.

As the Zero Hunger Trust Fund enters its second decade, the focus is shifting toward strengthening systems, deepening collaboration, and ensuring that progress made is both sustained and expanded.

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