The scent of grilled marlin drifted through Coronation Avenue as schoolchildren wandered excitedly between rows of herbs, fruit trees, handmade crafts and bubbling pots of local delicacies. Beneath the shade of mahogany trees, vendors laughed with customers, farmers proudly displayed produce freshly harvested from their fields, and beekeepers explained the science behind honey production to curious onlookers.
For one full day on Friday, 8th May 2026, Agrifest 2026 transformed the grounds of the Department of Natural Resources into a vibrant showcase of Anguilla’s agricultural pride, entrepreneurial spirit and growing push toward food security.
Hosted under the theme, “Transforming Local Food Systems to Feed the Future,” the event drew large crowds from across the island, including primary and secondary school students, government officials, farmers, artisans, chefs and families eager to experience the island’s expanding agricultural movement firsthand. By mid-morning, the avenue and surrounding grounds were filled with residents and visitors moving from stall to stall, sampling local products and engaging directly with the people producing them.
Near the greenhouse area, vendors displayed ornamental plants, herbs and fresh produce ranging from basil, mint and rosemary to kale, parsley and ginger. Mango trees towered above customers browsing for seedlings and decorative plants.
Throughout the grounds, local produce overflowed from tables: bok choy, cucumbers, guavas, pineapples, mangoes, watermelons, pumpkins and leafy greens harvested from shade houses and farms across the island. Vendors proudly reminded visitors that many of the fruits and vegetables had been picked only hours earlier.
One of the busiest stalls belonged to Vintage Veggies, where homemade tamarind balls, coconut fudge, bush teas, hot sauces, jams and baked goods attracted a steady stream of customers. Alongside preserved products sat baskets of fresh herbs, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and root crops grown locally. Sweet potato pudding, pumpkin bread and banana bread added familiar flavours to the day’s offerings, while bottles of homemade essence and pepper jelly reflected the creativity from Anguilla’s small-scale food producers.
Elsewhere, locally sourced meats and seafood took centre stage. Vendors sold fresh fish, goat meat, eggs and locally raised poultry, while the Anguilla National Culinary Team grilled tuna, marlin, lamb and chicken to eager lunchtime crowds. They proved that locally produced food can rival imported products in both quality and flavour.
Traditional dishes including goat water, chicken and corn soup, and ox-tail cook-up simmered beside trays of fried chicken, crack conch, rotis and steamed fish. Visitors cooled down with locally made drinks including sorrel, passion fruit, peanut punch, ginger blends and sea moss beverages prepared without chemicals.
Locally made flavoured rums crafted from island fruits including tamarind, soursop, mango, coconut, mint and guava were also available. Free samples and handcrafted accessories kept crowds entertained while showcasing the commercial potential of local agricultural products beyond traditional farming.
One particularly engaging section of the festival focused on honey production and beekeeping. Representatives from the Anguilla Honey Company demonstrated how honey is extracted, how wax is processed and how bees are safely transferred into hive boxes.
They revealed that honey containing more than 20 percent moisture can ferment, demonstrating the use of a refractometer to test consistency. The team also explained how the island’s varying landscapes affect flavour and colour, noting that honey from the West End tends to be lighter while honey from The Valley develops a darker, more robust taste profile. Their products have already earned regional recognition, placing third in several categories at a Caribbean honey competition.
Meanwhile, students from the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and other educational institutions toured the event throughout the day, stopping to ask questions, taste samples and observe demonstrations. WISE Anguilla used the opportunity to highlight technical and vocational training programmes, displaying student work in electrical technology, construction, culinary arts, joinery and design.
Cultural preservation also found its place among the displays. The Sandy Ground Tales book series highlighted Anguilla’s maritime heritage and fishing history through colourful, accessible storytelling.
Yet amid the music, food and bustling activity, one of the most emotional moments of the day unfolded at the Agricultural Department’s central display.
After four decades of service, the Department’s outgoing leader, William Vanterpool, reflected on his career during what he described as his “last performance.” Using the metaphor of a long-distance race, he spoke about endurance, leadership and the importance of finishing strong. He thanked colleagues, former directors, government officials and departed team members who had helped shape the Department over the years.
The ceremony also marked the official transition of leadership to newly appointed Director of Agriculture, Dwight Carty. Carty used the occasion to emphasise that Agrifest represented far more than a public exhibition. Speaking passionately about food security and sustainability, he stressed that Anguilla must continue moving toward greater self-sufficiency.
“This is about self,” he explained repeatedly, underscoring the importance of local food production in an increasingly uncertain global environment – also encouraging young people to see agriculture as both meaningful and essential.
The Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Kyle Hodge echoed those sentiments. Although not raised in an agricultural background himself, he spoke enthusiastically about the future of farming and fisheries in Anguilla.
Regional support for the festival was also evident. While speaking to Lloyd’s Live, visiting Minister of Agriculture from St. Kitts, Hon. Samuel Duggins, praised farmers and fishers as “food heroes,” noting that many people consume meals daily without fully appreciating the individuals responsible for producing them.
He described Agrifest as an important bridge between producers and consumers, helping residents reconnect with the origins of their food while highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening Caribbean food security.
Agrifest 2026 ultimately delivered more than an exhibition of crops and crafts. It painted a vivid picture of a country increasingly focused on resilience, self-sufficiency and preserving its identity through local production.
For one day, agriculture was not simply about farming and fishing. It was about community, culture, innovation and the future of Anguilla itself.
By Janissa Fleming
