Food Security

Ensuring that all members of our community have access to ample, high-quality, nutritious, and affordable food remains a significant challenge that we wholeheartedly address.

Jamaica, like many nations in the region, has faced economic difficulties, particularly in the realm of food production. Farming in this region is often associated with the legacy of plantations and slavery, leading Jamaica to rely heavily on food imports to meet its food needs in recent history. Regrettably, this reliance has put the country on the brink of a crisis, as the cost of food imports has become a substantial financial burden and a threat to public health (NY Times).

It is a poignant irony for Jamaica: “a fertile land with the ability to produce an abundance of fruits and vegetables is increasingly reliant on cheap agricultural imports that drive the country’s farmers out of business.” (Pulitzer Center)

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to renewed national food security and introduced a slogan a decade ago: “Grow what we eat, eat what we grow.”

RAISE has become an integral component of the solution. We collaborate with local men and women, providing them with the necessary land, education, and partnership to successfully feed their families and contribute to the economic development of their nation.