Grow Local, Buy Local: UN Day 2023 Celebrates T&T's Food Artisans

From vegan ice cream to steaming hot coffee brewed from locally-grown beans, T&T's food artisans were the stars of United Nations Day celebrations this year.

These micro entrepreneurs are growing and handcrafting niche products such as chocolate, jams, cassava brownies, Moruga Hill Rice muffins, fruit bowls and iced tea using environmentally-friendly, sustainable practices. Their innovation, creativity and commitment advance T&T's efforts to achieve SDG 2 - Zero Hunger, with knock-on benefits to spur progress on SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being.

Many of the businesses are women-led, youth-led or family-owned.

The UN in T&T tapped their products to cater a reception on October 30, 2023, to recommit to the timeless ideals of the UN Charter and commemorate the founding of the UN in 1945.

The UN Country Team and the Office of the Resident Coordinator hosted the reception for representatives of Government, development organisations, the diplomatic corps, civil society, the private sector and UN Staff.

In her remarks, UN Resident Coordinator, Joanna Kazana, reiterated the vital role of the United Nations in a world of cascading crises and challenges, from war and insecurity to climate change.

Minister of Planning and Development, The Honourable Pennelope Beckles, and Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Dr. The Honourable Amery Browne, also delivered remarks, reiterating the steadfast commitment of Trinidad and Tobago to multilateralism, sustainable development and human rights.