SPECIAL LOVE BOXES are being prepared for persons suffering from non-communicable diseases beginning with diabetes.

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines through the Ministry of Agriculture, recognizing the need to ensure that all Vincentians remain food secure during the COVID-19 pandemic introduced the ‘Love Box’ initiative a few months ago.

The ‘Love Box’ is now a household name. It provides a demand for locally grown foods, ensuring that our producers, especially from the rural communities have a ready market for their produce. Additionally, the initiative provides a much needed food safety-net for the most vulnerable within our communities in this period of a pandemic.

Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar, stressed that the importance of a proper diet and exercise are important weapons amongst several to combat diabetes. He also added that eating local foods which are often more highly nutritious than imported processed foods is critical in fighting diabetes.

The Ministry of Agriculture will be utilizing the knowledge and expertise of the Nutritionists in St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Diaspora on the best foods to prevent the development of diabetes and in its reversal.

The expansion of the programme will result in hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent to procure local foods further expanding the local market. It is expected

that there will be an expansion in other non-traditional crops to meet this new demand that will be created. Ultimately, the intention is for Vincentians to consume much more local produce truly bringing to life the ‘Eat what You Grow, Grow What You Eat’ slogan.

He concluded by indicating that now is the time for all Vincentians to practice economic patriotism by consuming more of their local fruits and vegetables.

The special Love Boxes of fruits and vegetables targeting persons with diabetes will be distributed from Monday, September 28.