The Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF) officially launched its 10th anniversary celebrations with a Commemorative Launch and Dialogue on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the UWI Global Campus in Kingstown, bringing together a wide cross-section of stakeholders committed to advancing food and nutrition security in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The milestone event underscored a decade of action, impact, and partnership in the national fight against hunger. It drew significant participation from government officials, private sector representatives, development partners, beneficiaries, and civil society, all united around a shared vision of a hunger-free future.
Delivering the feature address, Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Godwin Friday congratulated the organisation on reaching its 10-year milestone and commended its sustained efforts to address food insecurity across the country. He encouraged the Trust Fund to continue strengthening its impact through innovation and creativity, and affirmed his government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that advance national food security and resilience.
The programme also featured remarks from Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development Hon. Dr. Kishore Shallow; Minister of Education, Vocational Training & Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information Hon. Phillip Jackson; FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean Dr. Renata Clarke; CARICOM Deputy Programme Manager for Agricultural Development Mrs. Selvine Stephenson-Grant; and ZHTF Director and CEO Mrs. Safiya Horne-Bique. Each speaker highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration, policy alignment, and community engagement in tackling hunger and strengthening food systems.
A key highlight of the event was the official launch of the 10th Anniversary Essay, Art and Photography Competition, which invites young people aged 9 to 20 across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to creatively explore the theme ‘Hunger Free SVG – My Role, My Future’. Submissions are open until April 23, 2026, and the competition forms part of the Trust Fund’s broader effort to amplify youth voices and encourage active participation in national development.
The day’s agenda moved beyond ceremony into critical reflection and forward planning through a series of breakout sessions. Session Two, focused on strategic framing, featured presentations by Mrs. Safiya Horne-Bique, who delivered the organisation’s 10-Year Impact Report, and Strategic Consultant Mr. Kevin Hope, who outlined the ZHTF Strategic Outlook for 2026–2030. Together, these presentations provided a comprehensive look at past achievements and a clear roadmap for the future.
Session Three centred on the presentation of a technical paper, Plant Today, Eat Tomorrow: Evidence and Lessons from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ National Food Security Drive, delivered by ZHTF Programme Analyst Mr. Shafique Sam and Programme Officer Ms. Alicia Medica. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion that examined key findings and policy implications, with responses from Mrs. Selvine Stephenson-Grant and Agricultural Economist Mr. Reuben Robertson.
The final breakout, a ‘brown bag’ session hosted by the National Youth Food Systems Framework (NYFSF), created space for an interactive stakeholder dialogue. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions that reflected on the day’s insights, with a particular focus on strengthening food systems and enhancing youth participation in shaping sustainable solutions.
The Commemorative Launch and Dialogue set a strong tone for the Trust Fund’s 10th anniversary year, signalling a renewed commitment to innovation, partnership, and inclusive engagement. As the organisation looks ahead, it continues to build on its foundation of impact while embracing new approaches to ensure that every Vincentian has access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.
