More than 35 farmers attended a meet-and-greet hosted by the Department of Education in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and other local organizations at balter restaurant on October 17 on St. Croix.
As the October celebration of National Farm to School Month continues across the Territory, the Virgin Islands Department of Education, in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition and Taste of St. Croix, Inc., hosted a special meet-and-greet on October 17 at St. Croix's balter restaurant to bring together the island's local farming and business communities.
The purpose of the event was for farmers to meet their potential customers and begin forming relationships in an effort to increase agricultural production on St. Croix. In addition to farmers, meet-and-greet attendees included wholesalers, grocery store owners, restaurant owners, and government entities that offer feeding services.
Sommer Sibilly-Brown, Department of Education program manager and Farm to School liaison, said, “This was about business and networking. People were meeting people. People were talking food. Our farmers were front and center.”
More than 35 local farmers representing various farms attended the affair, but the five farms currently participating in the Department of Education’s month-long “Melonmania” campaign, which supplies watermelons grown at farms on St. Croix to the territory’s school lunch program each week in October, were prominently highlighted. The farms include New Breed Farms, Rogers Farm, Ridge to Reef Farm, Sejah Farm and Badeau Farm.
Cherie Munchez, Mapp administration communications director, praised the first-time gathering. “The governor’s initiative to improve the health of all Virgin Islanders starts at home. It starts with preparing proper foods, learning how to grow your own foods, and also supporting our local farmers. Today, it’s an important day because this is a pilot program where businesses can come out and meet the farmers.”
Assistant Education Commissioner Chermaine Hobson praised the partnership that have been forged between the departments of Education and Agriculture during her remarks. St. Croix Insular Superintendent of Schools Colleen Mae Williams, Deputy Superintendents Vaughn Hewitt and Faith Dane George, as well as Agriculture Commissioner Carlos Robles, senators and Mapp Administration officials were also in attendance.
Agriculture Commissioner Carlos Robles gives remarks at farmer's meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17.
Education Assistant Commissioner gives remarks at farmer's meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17.
Commissioner Robles (center) is joined by local farmers attending meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17.
A farmer speaks at meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17.
St. Croix leadership team members attend farmer's meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17.
St. Croix leadership team members and Agriculture Commissioner Carlos Robles are joined by farmers supplying watermelons to the territory's school lunch program at meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17.
Farmers supplying watermelons to the territory's school lunch program at meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17. The farms include New Breed Farms, Rogers Farm, Ridge to Reef Farm, Sejah Farm and Badeau Farm.
Display of fresh produce from Sejah Farm on St. Croix.
Attendees enjoy farmer's meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17.
Attendees enjoy farmer's meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17.
Sejah Farm representatives at farmer's meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17.
The legendary Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights provided musical entertainment at farmer's meet-and-greet at balter restaurant on Oct. 17.
