(April 6, 2026): Today, as we mark Zero Hunger Day, we commemorate ten years since the establishment of the Zero Hunger Trust Fund. It is a decade defined by robust programmes delivered, lives strengthened, systems shaped, and a national movement steadily built.
What began in 2016 as a bold national commitment to eradicate hunger has evolved into a dynamic, multi-sectoral institution at the heart of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ food and nutrition security agenda. Over the past ten years, we have moved beyond short-term interventions to advancing a systems-based approach, that connects households to schools, agriculture to nutrition, and social protection to sustainable livelihoods. Through flagship initiatives such as the Learning Enhancement and Nutrition Support (LENS) Programme, the Golden Years Nutrition Support Programme, and the National Home and Community Garden Food Security Drive, we have reached thousands of Vincentian households. We have supported families to produce their own food, strengthened school feeding systems, created opportunities for youth engagement in agriculture, and responded with agility in times of national need.
Yet, beyond the numbers, our greatest achievement has been the restoration of dignity, the ability for individuals and communities to feed themselves, to participate in their own development, and to build resilience in the face of economic and climate vulnerabilities.
This milestone also invites reflection. We recognise that food security is not solely about production or access but about systems, culture, equity, and sustainability. It requires stronger partnerships, better data, and deeper citizen engagement. It calls for a shift in how we value local food, how we support our farmers and fishers, and how we empower our young people to lead in shaping the future of our food systems. As we look ahead, we do so with clarity and purpose.
Our theme ‘10 Years of Impact: Positioning for the Decade of Systems Transformation’ reflects our commitment to scaling what works, strengthening governance, and driving a more integrated and resilient national food system. The next decade will focus on building sustainable livelihoods, expanding community-based food security, deepening climate resilience, and fostering a national culture of “eat local” and food sovereignty.
Zero Hunger is a national mission.
On this day, I extend sincere appreciation to our Government, our development partners, civil society, the private sector, and, most importantly, the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, whose participation and resilience continue to shape this journey. I invite every Vincentian, at home and in the diaspora, to be part of this next chapter. Whether through growing, supporting, advocating or innovating, each of us has a role to play.
Together, we have built impact that lasts. Together, we will transform systems for generations to come!
Safiya Horne-Bique
Director / Chief Executive Officer
Zero Hunger Trust Fund
