NASSAU, BAHAMAS — During a press conference to announce the newly-formed Agricultural Development Organization (ADO), executives presented a $300,000 donation to the Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN) to be used for funding of its food parcel initiative.
On hand at the Assemblies of God church to make the presentation were executives from BFN and ADO.
Executive Chairman and former Executive Director of BFN Philip Smith said: “It gives me great pleasure to present this donation to my good friend Rev Lester Ferguson to aid in Bahamas Feeding Network’s continued work.
“As you know, the Bahamas Feeding Network was a huge part of my life for the past 13 years and it was during that time I saw first-hand the gap in our being able to feed ourselves.
“We realize that food sustainability through agriculture won’t happen immediately, so we have to continue to assist organizations like BFN in their efforts.”
The funds were provided to ADO as part of a $1.1 million donation previously gifted by FTX Digital Markets, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange, headquartered in The Bahamas, with the intent of it being used to “directly support individuals and initiatives to raise awareness and provide resources to address food insecurity throughout The Bahamas”.
Ferguson, BFN executive director, said: “The Bahamas Feeding Network is thankful to the Agricultural Development Organization for this significant donation to help us fight hunger.
“ADO’s contribution today is a wonderful example of the important role that community partners across all sectors can play in helping to address issues of hunger and malnutrition.
“While our nation’s economic activity is beginning to pick up, there are still many families who face unemployment, homelessness and hunger. Many families and many of our network feeding center partners will benefit from this generous gift.
“On behalf of our chairman, Felix Stubbs, thank you for making a huge impact today. We look forward to our continued partnership.”
With nearly 90 percent of food being imported into the country at an estimated annual price tag of $1.4 billion, food security and sustainability has been in the spotlight, with both major governing party administrations standing firmly behind the newly implemented policy that encourages hotels, restaurants and food stores to source 40 percent of all food locally.
On what’s next for the organization whose mission is to make “self-sustaining food supply a reality for The Bahamas”, Smith shared: “We are currently in the research stages and are getting a better idea of some of the challenges that farmers face.
“We believe any problems the farmers have can be categorized into one of the 15 committees we’ve formed.
“For example, we understand that funding is a major impediment for those in agriculture, so the Capital for Farmers Committee was established to create finance solutions.
“There is approximately $700,000 in funding that came from FTX to assist farmers and we look forward to monitoring the impact the agricultural sector will have on the economy.”
Members of the Agricultural Development Organization’s Steering Committee include Philip Smith and co-chairs Micheal Bayley, president, Royal Caribbean International; Karen Casey, president, Sysco Bahamas; Ryan Salame, CEO, FTX Digital Markets; and Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, founder, Bedford Baker Group.
Special committees members include Michelle Lodge, Peter Andrews, Buck Ross, Clayton Smith, Shawn Smith, Tyrone Fowler, Dwayne Deveaux, Patricia Minnis, Cleare Hepburn, Pastor Eileen Johnson, Cleola Pinder, Caron Shepherd, Rupert Roberts, Clifton Fernander, Leonardo Lightbourne, Dion Smith, Pastor Dave Burrows, Pastor Pat Paul, Ashley Cooper, Shomekahn Cargill, Olga Munroe, Lillian Quant, Ricardo Richardson, Tanya Rahming, Keisha Ellis, Diane Phillips, Patrice Bullard, Dr Patricia Johnson, Claire Hepburn, Prince Rahming and Tangela Albury.
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