World Food Day: The Return opened yesterday (October 19^th) at the Dwight Yorke Stadium parade ground, where thousands of visitors turned out to visit the booths on display, and purchase items ranging from botanical plants and herbal teas, to local cuisine and tie-dye clothing.

Launched this year on September 9^th by the Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development, Food Security Secretary Nathisha Charles-Pantin said that several key initiatives were scheduled prior to World Food Day’s grand opening.

“We held livestock, fisheries, and wildlife seminars at the Kendall Farm School, and virtual seminars on home gardening, and the giant African snail,” she said, adding that a task force was being set up to treat with the snail, which not only eats crops, but can cause meningitis.

Persons still have a chance to see first-hand what World Food Day has to offer as the two-day event continues today.

Secretary Pantin, who was providing an update on her Division as part of Mandate Monday, also shared some of their collaborative efforts; including ones done through the Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries. These included the participation of 53 fishermen in the Marine Band Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio Communication Programme in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard; and a beach cleanup with members of the All Tobago Fisherfolk Association.