GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Friday, October 16, 2026, marks World Food Day, and the Collective Prevention Service (CPS), an executive agency of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry of VSA), is calling on the Sint Maarten community to recognize the importance of healthy eating, food security and access to safe, affordable and nutritious food as essential components of public health and well-being.
World Food Day forms part of CPS’s annual calendar of health observances and provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the relationship between nutrition, disease prevention, sustainable food production and the challenges associated with ensuring that everyone has access to sufficient and nutritious food.
The 2026 World Food Day theme, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”
This year’s theme highlights the importance of combining innovation, traditional knowledge, community participation and sustainable approaches to food production and distribution to build healthier, more resilient food systems for present and future generations.
World Food Day is observed annually on October 16 to commemorate the founding of the FAO in 1945. The international observance brings attention to global hunger, malnutrition, food insecurity and the need for sustainable agricultural and food systems.
For Sint Maarten, World Food Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of ensuring that residents have access to healthy, affordable food and to recognize the connection between nutrition, public health, economic development and environmental sustainability.
CPS emphasizes that maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is one of the most important steps individuals and families can take to protect their health and reduce their risk of developing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Unhealthy dietary habits, including excessive consumption of salt, sugar, saturated fats and highly processed foods, can contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other chronic health conditions.
These diseases continue to represent significant public health challenges throughout the Caribbean.
CPS encourages residents to make healthier food choices by incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and appropriate sources of protein into their daily meals.
Traditional Caribbean foods such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables, beans, peas and fresh fish can contribute to a balanced and nutritious diet when prepared using healthy cooking methods.
Residents are also encouraged to reduce their consumption of sugary drinks, choose water more frequently, limit foods high in sodium and avoid excessive consumption of processed foods.
Healthy eating does not necessarily require expensive or complicated meals. Planning meals, selecting nutritious ingredients, preparing food at home and reducing food waste can help families make better use of their food budgets.
As the global community observes World Food Day 2026, CPS calls on residents of Sint Maarten to reflect on their everyday food choices and the role they can play in promoting healthier families and a more resilient community.
Small changes, including preparing balanced meals, choosing healthier beverages, reducing food waste, supporting local food initiatives and teaching children good nutritional habits, can collectively contribute to improved public health.
CPS encourages every household to make healthy eating a priority and to recognize that investing in good nutrition today contributes to healthier individuals, stronger communities and a more sustainable future.
World Food Day 2026 – “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”
Healthy food, healthy people, healthy communities.
