Food, fun, and festivities filled the scene at the 2025 World Food Day celebration on St. Croix Sunday.
The University of the Virgin Islands joined in the global observance, marking more than two decades of hosting the event locally. Organized by UVI’s School of Agriculture, the celebration aligns with the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which commemorates its 80th anniversary this year.
“This event is in observance of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,” said Dean and Director of the School of Agriculture, Usman Adamu. “That organization, this year in particular, is 80 years old. We have been celebrating this event globally for 80 years. But here at UVI, we have been observing it for at least 20 years.”
The fair, which showcases locally grown produce, traditional dishes, and student-led agricultural projects, reflects UVI’s deep commitment to promoting sustainability and food security across the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“If you look at the work that we do at UVI’s School of Agriculture, we are all about promoting agriculture and food production, food security, sustainability, and nutrition,” said Adamu. “This particular event cuts at the heart of our mission. We are very much dedicated to good nutrition and food production here in the Virgin Islands — not just in theory, but in practice.”
As a land-grant institution, UVI’s agricultural programs are built around serving the needs of the territory through education, research, and outreach. “We are a land-grant institution, and those institutions are set up to do this kind of work — dedicated and committed to the mission around food production,” he added.
Beyond education, World Food Day also highlighted the joy of local cuisine. From African-inspired dishes to classic Virgin Islands favorites, the celebration was a feast for both the mind and the palate.
“There’s so much food to eat,” Adamu laughed. “I always like to touch base with some of the home food from Africa. Of course, every now and then I go for that, and I love the drinks — I’m just waiting to get my cup right now!”
But amid the fun, the event carried an important message about self-reliance. “When we say we are celebrating food, and we don’t have the food, what are we saying?” Adamu asked. “It’s really important to have local food — to bring it back to our families. Our goal is to make sure this territory is self-sufficient.”
The event also featured performances by the Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies, Ay-Ay Cultural Dancers, The Rising Stars Youth Steel Pan Orchestra, and others. Educational workshops focused on sweet potatoes, passion fruit, and pork, while visitors received seedlings for kale, okra, basil, beets, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Cooking demonstrations and a food bank added to the day’s activities.
A special dedication honored Madalene Agatha Hendricks Plaskett, mother of Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, with the planting of a mespil tree in her memory.
Adamu noted that the Virgin Islands currently imports an estimated 80 to 90 percent of its food — a dependency UVI hopes to reduce. “Our hope is to cut that dependency by at least moving to about 50 percent,” he said. “That’s half of the work right there.”
With that vision in mind, UVI’s annual World Food Day celebration continues to serve not only as a cultural event but also as a call to action and reminding the community that the path to sustainability starts right at home.
St. Croix Source
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