US Virgin Islands
Like many islands in the Caribbean, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) face a high degree of food insecurity because they are dependent on imports from Puerto Rico and the continental United States for more than 95% of their food supply. There are, however, many opportunities to strengthen the productive capacity and resilience of farms and fisheries to increase local food production and lower food imports, and World Central Kitchen is excited to play a role in these efforts.WCK expanded its Food Producer Network (FPN) to the USVI in 2020 to support smallholder farms, fisheries, and food-related small businesses in order to strengthen food security and sustainable economic development throughout the food producing communities on St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas for many years to come.
FPN in the USVI by the numbers
Invested
Grants Distributed
Tropical Pops Popsicles
Carolyn Isaac
Tropical Pops Popsicles is a 100% female owned operation run by Carolyn Isaac on St. Thomas. Carolyn purchases locally grown fruits and transforms them into delicious, all natural popsicles and smoothies. With her grant, Carolyn will purchase an automatic packaging machine, packaging materials, a freezer, and refrigerator. Carolyn expects the grant to result in a 60% increase in production, allowing her to reach new customers.
Mystical Farm
Lindsey Simmonds
Mystical Farm on St. Croix -operated by Lindsey Simmonds- is dedicated to both vegetable and fruit tree farming. The 2017 hurricane season and ensuing drought took a heavy toll on Lindsey’s farm. To better manage the environment her crops grow in, Lindsey will use her grant to purchase shade houses, box gardens, and storage facilities. Lindsey expects these improvements to result in an impressive 50% increase in production.
Captain CC’s Fresh Catch
Captain CC
James Kreglo, aka Captain CC, has been fishing since the age of five and is one of the few licensed lobster divers in the territory. Having fished the USVI’s waters for almost 40 years, he is regarded as a local expert -especially as he always willingly shares his knowledge with others. Since using the WCK grant to buy new engines for his boat, which was damaged in 2017’s Hurricanes Irma and María, Captain CC has been able to double production and generate new jobs.
