O-35 Food security and food safety: Implications for sustainable food systems in CARICOM

Methods: Qualitative methodology allowed in-depth exploration of the perceptions and lived experiences of purposively recruited participants involved in the food system from production to consumption. The study was undertaken in two phases: Seventy public, private and civil society stakeholder interviews conducted June-August 2018 (Jamaica: 41; St Kitts and Nevis: 14 and St Vincent and the Grenadines: 15); and fourteen 8-participant focus groups conducted May–July 2019 (Jamaica: 6; St Kitts and Nevis: 4, and St Vincent and the Grenadines: 4). Thematic data analysis was supported by Dedoose software.

Results: Analysis identified several substantive themes representing stakeholders’ explanation about the factors determining which items are imported, distributed and consumed. An overarching theme was that threats to the local food supply and consumption are multi-factorial. Economic rather that health concerns determined which foods are supplied and consumed and unhealthy foods seemed more affordable. Climate change threatened food security through reduced crops and loss of livelihood. Women of singleheaded households and women in agriculture were more at risk for food insecurity. Local and regional foods though preferred by some participants were inconsistently available. Wide ranging food safety concerns included pesticide residues and imported allegedly “fake food”.

Conclusion: Interventions to improve access to healthy foods need to be gender sensitive. Sustainable intra-regional trade may be an important pillar for improving household nutrition and health.