As Minister for Agriculture, I am both honoured and delighted to extend heartfelt congratulations to the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC) on the occasion of its 45th anniversary.
This remarkable achievement reflects the Council鈥檚 firm commitment to promoting the health and well-being of our population, empowering individuals and families across the tri-island state so that they can make informed food choices and can also adopt healthier lifestyles.
The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council, a statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture, has for 45 years been at the forefront of advancing food security and nutrition in our nation. It has become a trusted voice in public health nutrition, education, and community engagement 鈥 pillars on which sustainable development firmly stands.
It is therefore most fitting that, within this celebratory year, we commence Nutrition Week 2025, which officially runs from June 22nd to June 28th under the theme 鈥淛ourney to 50: Strengthening Food and Nutrition Security in Grenada鈥.
The week promises an engaging series of activities throughout Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, each designed to educate and inspire action in the following critical areas:
Promoting sustainable food production through community involvement
Reducing food waste at household, community, and commercial levels
Improving equitable access to nutritious foods across all segments of society
Raising awareness of nutrition, food security, and environmental sustainability
These initiatives are intended not only to improve our nation鈥檚 nutritional status and lifestyle habits but also to reinforce the broader aim of building a healthier, food-secure Grenada.
While many know the Council for its weekly recipes shared on social media, its contributions extend far beyond that. The GFNC provides critical support for families, especially those with young children, and works year-round in the following ways:
Training day-care providers in age-appropriate nutrition
Fundraising to supply food baskets to vulnerable households
Delivering nutrition education to Parent-Teacher Associations, workplaces, and community groups
Partnering with supermarkets, media outlets, and digital platforms to expand public knowledge about proper nutrition
This work is especially vital when we consider the rising rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other diet-related conditions in Grenada. The Council鈥檚 preventative efforts are instrumental in helping our people understand how to avoid, manage, and 鈥 in some cases 鈥 reverse these noncommunicable diseases.
Recent findings from the Council鈥檚 2024 Day-Care and Pre-School Surveys highlight a pressing concern: gender disparities in early childhood nutrition. Boys were found to be more prone to excessive weight and growth delays, while girls were at higher risk of undernutrition. This data signals an urgent call for continued intervention and targeted nutrition education, beginning at the earliest stages of life.
As we mark this week and reflect on the Council鈥檚 impact, we are reminded that national development is only possible when our citizens are healthy. Good nutrition must therefore be seen not only as a personal responsibility but also as a national priority.
In this regard, I encourage all Grenadians to embrace GFNC鈥檚 stance 鈥淓at Local: Strengthen Food and Nutrition Security in Grenada鈥. This not only supports our agricultural sector but also helps us build dietary resilience. Equally important is having a basic understanding of the nutritional content of the foods we consume. That knowledge is key in our fight against hypertension and other chronic conditions.
Let us seize this moment 鈥 Nutrition Week 鈥 as a national opportunity to recommit to healthier lifestyles. Each of us, regardless of age, can take meaningful steps to improve our diets. Let us stand with the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council in making these small but powerful changes.
I invite you to contact the Council鈥檚 office to learn more about the week鈥檚 activities and how you can participate.
It is now my distinct pleasure to declare Nutrition Week 2025 officially open.
May it be a week of learning, action, and national pride.