The Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF) has received a donation of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds from a Canada-based charity as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen food security and support small-scale agriculture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The donation, made by Dwight “Bongo” Anderson, Founder and Executive Director of the Still Kickin’ Charity, consisted of three barrels of seeds intended to assist backyard gardeners, community groups, and local farmers.
The official handover took place at the ZHTF office in Kingstown, where former Consul General to Toronto, Fitz Huggins, presented the donation on behalf of the charity.
According to officials, the seeds will be distributed among several organizations involved in food production and community support initiatives. One barrel was allocated to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Empowerment, Ecclesiastical Affairs and National Heritage, while another was handed over to the Seed Sisters group. The remaining barrel will remain with the ZHTF to support ongoing household and community food security programmes.
ZHTF Chief Executive Officer Safiya Horne-Bique described the donation as timely, noting that it aligns with efforts to improve access to food and strengthen resilience among vulnerable communities.
Minister of Social Welfare and Community Empowerment, Hon. Shevern John, said the initiative supports the government’s broader push to increase domestic food production and reinforce agriculture as a major pillar of the economy.
Minister John said the seeds are expected to benefit farmers and backyard gardeners while contributing to national food security efforts.
Meanwhile, Dwight Anderson said his connection to St. Vincent and the Grenadines deepened during the years he and his family lived in the country between 2021 and 2024. He noted that the experience gave him a greater appreciation for the challenges faced by local farmers and the importance of strengthening food production.
According to Anderson, Still Kickin’ Charity began donating seeds to St. Vincent and the Grenadines following the 2021 eruption of La Soufrière Volcano and has continued supporting agricultural recovery and food security initiatives since then.
He also highlighted plans to encourage seed saving and the development of a sustainable seed bank initiative that could help communities recover more quickly from future natural disasters and supply chain disruptions.
The ZHTF says it will continue collaborating with local and international partners to support backyard gardening, youth involvement in agriculture, and improved access to nutritious foods across the country.