Strengthening Regional Food Security Through Local Procurement

Today at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2025 in St. Kitts, the CARICOM Youth Advisory Body underscored the urgency of a “Local Agriculture First” policy. The message resonates deeply with us at Que Sera Farms in the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands: if we want true food security in our region, procurement practices must evolve to support local producers.


For procurement managers, this means recognizing that sourcing from local farms is not the same as sourcing from large importers.

Local procurement often requires:

• Flexible sourcing methods that adjust to seasonal harvests and production cycles.
• Direct relationships with farmers, rather than relying solely on distribution networks.
• A long-term perspective that balances immediate availability with building sustainable supply chains.

By strengthening these linkages, we not only reduce dependency on imported foods but also support the resilience of our communities, create jobs, and keep more economic value circulating within the region.
Que Sera Farms is committed to advancing this vision. As we continue building bridges between farmers and procurement managers, we hope more institutions, retailers, and hospitality partners will embrace policies that prioritize regional agriculture.


Local food security is not just an agricultural issue — it is a regional resilience strategy. Choosing local first strengthens all of us.

These photos were taken from 2 major food-ucational lunches hosted by a local non-profit VI Good Food Coalition from some of their early work in 2016 advocating for Department of Education to procure from local producers. It took educational workshops with students, cafeteria personnel, and decision makers all the way from the top to warehouse personnel. To follow their work, get involved and support, visit their website at Virgin Islands Good Food | USVI Agriculture | Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI. www.goodfoodvi.org 

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