Health Ministry marks 10 years of initiative aimed at boosting food security, cutting food costs and encouraging healthier lifestyles
The Ministry of Health honoured 45 participants of the Grow Eat $ave Gardening Programme at a ceremony recently, held at the Devonshire Seventh-day Adventist Church. Now in its tenth year, the programme continues to support Bermuda’s efforts to strengthen food security, improve health outcomes, and promote community resilience.
The Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, Minister of Health, stated, “Ten years is a testament to the strength of a programme built on partnership and shared purpose. This programme has grown because so many organisations and individuals chose to work side by side. The Department of Health, the Department of Parks, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bermuda Agricultural Group, Chaplain Dr. Kevin J. T. Santucci, the Devonshire Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Bermuda National Trust, dedicated volunteers, and many others have each played a part in helping residents gain the skills and confidence to grow their own food.”
The programme continues to align with the Ministry’s vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities by equipping participants with practical knowledge to grow fresh produce at home, supporting food cost relief, strengthening local food security, and empowering residents to take steps that improve their health.
Minister Wilson noted, “This year, the Ministry of Home Affairs joined the Grow Eat Save initiative, helping to establish an additional teaching garden at the Devonshire Recreation Club. By providing tools and working closely with the programme team, the Ministry of Home Affairs has helped open the door for more residents to learn how to grow their own food, build skills that last, and take another step toward self‑sufficiency.”
The Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, said, “Grow Eat $ave advances affordability and resilience by equipping residents with the skills to grow their own food. Households across Bermuda continue to face rising food costs. This programme delivers practical knowledge that eases household pressure and builds community self-sufficiency. I thank the Devonshire Recreation Club for partnering with the Ministry of Home Affairs to establish the new teaching garden, giving more residents the chance to build skills that last.”
For more information about the Grow Eat $ave Programme, contact the Department of Health’s Nutrition Services at nutrition@gov.bm.
Media release and images supplied by the Government of Bermuda.
