World Food Day 2026: Innovating Today To Nourish Saint Lucia Tomorrow

October 1st, 2026

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, will commemorate World Food Day 2026 on Sunday, October 18, at the Odsan IRDC, under the theme “Innovate Today.
Nourish Tomorrow.”

This year’s observance will focus on a clear national priority: Saint Lucia must strengthen its capacity to feed itself. This requires greater investment in local production, modern and climate-resilient farming practices, stronger markets for farmers and fishers, value addition, reduced food loss and greater participation by young people in agriculture.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development, Hon. Lisa C.
Jawahir, says innovation must ultimately translate into greater production and stronger livelihoods.

“Innovation cannot remain a concept. It must reach our farmers in the field and our fishers at sea. It must help us produce more, reduce losses, withstand climate shocks, strengthen markets and create profitable opportunities for the next generation. Food security is everybody’s business, and the choices we make today will determine how well we can feed ourselves tomorrow.”

World Food Day 2026 will also reinforce the national call championed by Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre: “Grow what we eat and eat what we grow.” The message places responsibility not only on producers, but also on consumers, businesses, supermarkets, hotels, schools and households to deliberately support Saint Lucian food.

The celebration at the Odsan IRDC will feature a farmers and butchers market, local food, a cultural couture display, live entertainment, co-operatives and agro processors, and a children’s play area including a petting zoo, providing an opportunity for families to celebrate the people who help feed the nation.

For Minister Jawahir, the objective extends well beyond World Food Day: to build a stronger, more productive and more resilient agricultural sector capable of advancing food security for all and positioning Saint Lucia as a breadbasket of the Southern Caribbean.