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Can the present production of local foods in St. Kitts & Nevis foster an ongoing practice of local food consumption among our citizens? This happens to be one of the primary concerns raised by our key decision-makers. Despite our small size and limited local food production, the Department of Agriculture continues to make huge strides with its annual “Eat Local Day” celebration. This year marks the 11th year of this momentous “Eat Local Day” event which will be hosted under the theme “Eat Fresh, Eat Healthy, Eat Local”. The date set for this year’s event is June 29th, 2018. The continuation of the “Eat Local Day” on an annual basis is direct proof that the policy makers within the Agricultural Sector are dedicated to developing trends of local food production and consumption as an integral part of our culture.

The rapid consumption of fast food in St. Kitts and Nevis has been driven by the influx of fast food chains on the island which has opened the appetite of our citizens for food that has a foreign taste. However, these food often lack the
nutritional value and often result in numerous negative health implications for locals who consume these types of food. Since its debut in June 2007, the annual tradition of the “Eat Local Day” which is an island-wide food festival has created an avenue in which the local farmers, fishermen, agro-processors and food craft citizens are celebrated and the value of local production once again is brought to life as a primary medium through which the issue of food security is highlighted.

Eat Local Day Food Festival is hosted in the month of June. Given the importance linked to the event, other businesses in the form of local restaurants and hotels are propelled to lend their support to this initiative. In fact, one of the top communication giants on island, Digicel, has again stepped forward as one of the primary sponsors of this signature event. Other private entities such as NAGICO Insurances, Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, Freedom FM, and Windsor University School of Medicine have come onboard to support the Department’s initiative since they understand the direct link between healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle which ultimately enhance local productivity in both the private and public
sector. As an offspring of the “Eat Local Day” event, Restaurant Week’s main ingredient this year is plantain. As such, caterers will be displaying their creativity by preparing a variety of sumptuous local dishes from this local ingredient.

An invitation is therefore extended to locals and visitors alike to join us at Independence Square at 11: 00a.m. where the atmosphere will indeed be a festive one. See you there! -THE END-