The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority continues to strengthen its commitment to responsive and community-centered service. Last Friday evening, Executive Director Hannibal “Mike” Ware, along with members of the VIWMA Executive Team, attended a Town Hall meeting hosted by the Garden Street and Long Path Association to discuss ongoing concerns about waste collection and neighborhood cleanliness.
Looking down on Garden Street and Synagogue Hill from Government Hill (Photo by Mat Probasco)
The open and constructive dialogue, hosted by the association, provided residents with an opportunity to share firsthand experiences and ideas. In response, Executive Director Ware pledged immediate actions, including placing two additional trash bins in the area and increasing collection frequency from once to twice daily.
“We care, we listen, and we act. Preserving Paradise takes each of us,” said Ware. “This meeting reflects VIWMA’s renewed focus on partnering with communities to create sustainable solutions. The residents of Garden Street and Long Path are passionate about keeping their neighborhood clean, and together we’re taking meaningful steps to make that happen.”
For more information, contact the Division of Education and Communications Management at 340-474-2811 or email communications@viwma.org. Please stay connected with us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for updates.
Elton Leonard, 79, of St. Thomas, passed away Thursday, Oct. 9.Elton Leonard
Viewing will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Turnbull’s Funeral Home. The second viewing will be held Thursday, Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. followed by the Funeral Service at 10 a.m. in Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Smith Bay. Interment will be in Eastern Cemetery, Smith Bay.
Survivors are
Wife: Elba Leonard
Children: Danny Leonard, Karen Leonard-Lettsome
Son In Law: Joshua Lettsome
Sisters: Emma Thomas, Claudia Leonard, Deann Leonard
Brothers: David Leonard, Elroy Leonard, Melvin Leonard
Grand Kids: Micheal David Martinez, Israel Leonard Lettsome, Isabella Valdez Vanderhorst, Kayla Alicia Lettsome, Isaiah Leando Lettsome
Nephews: Mario Thomas Jr., Kendall Thomas, Jason Small, Arron Blyden, Pete Blyden, David OtuOkoro, Carl Marks, Pedro Nazon, Darnell Leonard, Leslie Huggins Jr
Neices: Candace Thomas, Coleen Thomas, Maureen Thomas-Ash, Carla Burgess, Cassiar Jones, Tisha Bonelli, Kishma Wilson, Ruth OtuOkoro, Iaesha Wadlington, Karima Lewis, Alani Leonard
Mother In Law: Mercedes Rodríguez Martínez
Brother In Law: Manuel Senclaire, Moses Okoro
Sister In Law: Chris Leonard, Kenyetta Leonard
Nieces, nephews and other family members too numerous to mention
Please send pictures and tributes to Eltonautopolyberg@gmail.com by Oct. 31.
Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services.
Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett expressed the concerns of Virgin Islands families and community members about the future of federal nutrition programs that support school lunches and breakfasts for students in the U.S. Virgin Islands and shares the work she has been doing for food security.
“I share the deep concerns of parents, educators, and community leaders across the Virgin Islands about the future of school meals for our children. More than 11,000 Virgin Islands students currently receive free lunch through the National School Lunch Program, regardless of income. This program is not only about feeding our children—it is about ensuring their success in the classroom and their well-being at home. Not only does the government shutdown threaten the short-term funding of SNAP and other food program but the massive cuts enacted by Republicans in budget reconciliation threaten to eviscerate the programs that make universal school meals possible nationwide.
“The Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act cuts $186 billion from SNAP, impacting 11,100 Virgin Islands households, and reduces benefits by 20 percent nationwide. Republicans are cutting approximately $900 billion from Medicaid and more than $500 billion from Medicare. In the Virgin Islands alone, 21,000 Medicaid enrollees face potential loss of services or disenrollment, while more than 20,000 Medicare beneficiaries will see their healthcare access severely compromised. Our seniors, families, and most vulnerable residents depend on these programs for lifesaving care.
“These federal funding cuts directly threaten the future of school meal programs. When families lose SNAP or Medicaid eligibility, their children lose access to free or reduced-price school meals. The Community Eligibility Provision, which enables universal free lunch, depends on students being certified as eligible through SNAP and Medicaid. Due to Republican cuts and new work requirements, fewer families will qualify for these programs, meaning fewer schools will qualify for universal free meals.
“I have a strong record of supporting school nutrition programs. I sponsored the bipartisan Farm to School Act to bring more fresh, locally grown foods into schools, doubling funding from $5 million to $10 million. The program has channeled more than $52 million into projects across all states and territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, benefiting nearly 21 million students in 47,000 schools. I have also championed legislation to expand nutrition education through the Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Act. In 2019, I successfully advocated for a 17 percent increase in the federal reimbursement rate for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program in our territory, providing much-needed relief to the Virgin Islands Department of Education.
“I want the people of the Virgin Islands to know that I am committed to working with our local legislators and government officials to develop solutions that protect our students from food insecurity amid devastating Republican cuts. I am hopeful that members of Congress will recognize the cascading effect of these cuts on communities and recognize that tax cuts to billionaires should not be the priority. Our children deserve access to healthy, nutritious meals. I will continue fighting at the federal level while supporting our local leaders in their efforts to secure the future of school lunch programs and protect our students and families.”
Sen. Ray Fonseca chairs the Senate Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Committee meeting Monday. (Photos by Bernard Matthew, Saidah Sekou and Barry Leerdam, Legislature of the Virgin Islands)
Lawmakers advanced the Caregivers Leave Act during a Senate Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Committee meeting Monday, while also receiving updates from the territory’s medical and dental boards.
The measure, Bill No. 36-0086, sponsored by Sen. Novelle E. Francis Jr., seeks to amend Title 3, Chapter 25, Section 590b of the Virgin Islands Code to expand and clarify leave benefits for caregivers employed by the Government of the Virgin Islands.
Cindy Richardson, director of the Division of Personnel, said her department has already begun drafting rules and regulations to guide employees on their rights under the existing statute. She explained that the government also recognizes caregiving responsibilities under the Donated Leave Program, which allows eligible employees caring for seriously ill dependents to receive donated leave from colleagues.
A proposed amendment would restrict eligibility to government and semiautonomous agency employees while broadening the definition of “caregiver” to include those providing care to elderly or dependent adults. Richardson said verification systems will be implemented to prevent abuse of the program.
Troy de Chabert-Schuster, state director of AARP Virgin Islands, voiced strong support for the measure, citing the growing need for caregiver support as the territory’s population ages. “Approximately one in four Virgin Islanders are over the age of 60,” he said, referencing the 2020 Census. De Chabert-Schuster said that by adopting the measure, “the Virgin Islands would model forward-thinking, responsible workforce policy for both the public and eventually the private sectors.” He also urged lawmakers to consider accountability measures such as requiring proof of caregiving responsibilities and limiting leave accrual.
Tracy Stewart Sanders, president of Continuum Care Home Health, LLC, said the legislation would better support family caregivers, who often shoulder extensive responsibilities with little formal training. She called for paid leave policies that allow caregivers to accompany loved ones to appointments and suggested designating a single family caregiver to ensure consistent care. Sanders added that incentives such as tax breaks could encourage private employers to adopt similar policies.
Chair Sen. Ray Fonseca shared a personal perspective, recalling his experience caring for his mother with dementia. Vice Chair Hubert Frederick praised the measure as necessary for an aging population. The bill was voted on favorably and will now move to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration.
Lawmakers also heard updates from the Medical and Dental boards.
Dr. Frank Odlum, chair of the Virgin Islands Board of Medical Examiners, outlined efforts to modernize operations, including the launch of a board website, the shift to Microsoft Teams for meetings, and the implementation of secure government email addresses. The board is also working to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which expedites physician licensing across 25 states, and to introduce background checks for new licensees. Odlum said the board continues to face vacancies and is awaiting gubernatorial reappointments.
Dr. Trevor Connor, chair of the Virgin Islands Dental Board, reported that 86 dentists and 43 hygienists renewed their licenses by the September 2024 deadline. The board, which meets quarterly, has automated its renewal process and is considering a dental hygiene training program to address workforce shortages. Connor said such a program would “help build a local dental workforce and improve care quality” by retaining local talent.
Senators in attendance included Fonseca, Frederick, Marvin Blyden, Alma Francis Heyliger, Francis, Kenneth Gittens, Carla Joseph, Clifford Joseph Sr., Avery Lewis, Milton Potter, and Kurt Vialet.
The East End Taxi Association is preparing to launch the Virgin Islands Taxi App, a new platform allowing riders to book, track, and pay for licensed taxi rides electronically across the territory. (Shutterstock image)
The East End Taxi Association is preparing to launch the Virgin Islands Taxi App in the coming weeks, a platform that lets passengers locate nearby licensed taxis, set their destination, and pay electronically without cash.
President Mervin Smith said the app is in its final development stage.
After logging in, the app will detect a passenger’s location and display available licensed taxis nearby. Riders can then enter their drop-off point, see the tariff amount, and choose a driver through the platform. “Once you click on where you’re going … you will be able to see all the taxis in that general area that can assist you with the ride,” Smith explained.
The app supports multiple payment methods, including cash, credit cards, and electronic options such as PayPal. Smith said it also makes it easier for drivers to reach passengers. “The driver will be able to reach you without having to worry about getting directions,” he said.
He added that this feature could prove especially useful as restaurants and businesses frequently change names, making verbal directions unreliable, particularly for tourists unfamiliar with the area. “A lot of the restaurants change. So once they are in the GPS system, it will be a lot easier for the driver to come get you,” Smith said.
Developers are finalizing a pricing model to align with the territory’s official taxi tariff. “We are right now in our final stage trying to tailor the pricing, because we try to tailor it towards our tariff,” Smith said. He expects the app to launch within two to three weeks, once pricing is finalized.
“Any licensed taxi driver will be able to operate on the app,” Smith said, noting that because East End Taxi Association designed it, the company’s own drivers will be enrolled first for a trial period. “After that, any other licensed driver who wants to join can come to us, and we’ll add them in after reviewing their application, driver’s record, police record and vehicle information. We also collect account and routing numbers for payment, since the system will split fares automatically.”
Once a ride is complete, passengers can leave feedback about their experience. “The passenger will be able to give a review of the experience with that driver,” Smith said.
To prepare for the rollout, Smith said he plans to focus on community engagement and promotion. “Once I get the app officially done and it’s ready to be launched, my intention is to get it promoted. Go to the Taxicab Commission and all the other entities, all the hotels everywhere, and just try to put it out there. I will be doing some interviews on radio and all that to try to promote it so everyone can be informed,” he said.
Smith said the initial launch will focus on St. Thomas, but the app is already designed for future expansion to St. Croix and St. John.
The development of the Virgin Islands Taxi App comes amid growing demand from lawmakers, locals and tourists for modernization. “A lot of the tourists want to be able to pay via credit card and all that. So with this app, it would allow them to pay the driver without having to have cash,” Smith said.
He noted the app is a direct response to changing expectations in transportation: “If your community is asking for something, let’s give it to them and not fight against it.”
Smith encouraged all operators to adopt the new technology and keep pace with industry changes. “This app is for us to move forward,” he said. “An overall upgrade of our industry, keeping up with the times.”
We all have to eat, and like it or not, 97% of the food we now eat in the Virgin Islands is imported, according to the Virgin Islands Agricultural Plan.
But what happens when ports are shut down because of a hurricane or a political crisis, such as 9/11? Residents who have been through these emergencies know all too well how bare grocery store shelves can be.
To reduce our islands’ dependence on imported food, a group of community leaders has teamed up with local farmers and fishers to establish the Local Food and Farm Council of the Virgin Islands.
Leonardo Perez of Bordeaux Botanicals chats with Harith Wickrema and St. John agriculture supporters Ralph Solomon and Myrah Keating Smith II, while Motali Sofer-Greer, who delivers CSA boxes, checks his phone. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
At a town-hall meeting held Tuesday night at the St. John Legislative Annex, members of this growing organization presented their vision for promoting sustainable agricultural practices, involving residents in growing their own food, and making food production a part of the curriculum for all students in the territory.
Safiya George, president of the University of the Virgin Islands, said, “We’re here to showcase progress, strengthen community engagement and transparency, and deliver impact.”
Although the Local Food and Farm Council is still developing its structure as a nonprofit organization, the time has come to move from planning to action, according to Harith Wickrema, a council member and the president of Island Green Living.
Harith Wickrema addresses the audience while UVI President Safiya George listens. (Photo by Lisa Etre)
One way this can happen immediately on St. John is for volunteers to clear four acres of land in Coral Bay managed by the V.I. Agriculture Department and turn it into a community garden. “If we can get people together to prepare the land, in 120 days we can be eating delicious, fresh produce,” he said.
Raymond Thomas of the V.I. Agriculture Department points to the four acres of land in Coral Bay, which could be used for a community garden. (Photo by Harith Wickrema)
“We will be happy to take the lead,” added Louis E. Petersen Jr., commissioner of the Agriculture Department.
Petersen outlined how more than one hundred applicants competed for Food and Farm Council’s grants in 2024 under a public-private partnership program. After a process that included redacting names of applicants to keep the process fair, 12 diverse farmers and fishers were awarded a total of more than $500,000 to purchase equipment, develop technology, and implement infrastructure.
Projects ranged from buying machinery that will be used by a farming collective, developing the technology to process fish waste into fertilizer, and enhancing the production of exotic fruits and spices.
The Local Food and Farm Council has asked the V.I. government for $1 million in funding for grants in 2025, but so far, no money has been allocated. Members of the audience were urged to contact senators to vote in favor of the funding when the Legislature meets to discuss the issue on Nov. 10.
Cydney Meadows, territorial director of Sustainability & Agricultural Education, outlined the council’s plans to implement a Seeds of Security Program to teach students to grow food, compost waste, and engage their families in home gardening.
A selection of organic produce grown by Harith Wickrema of Island Green Living. (Photo by Harith Wickrema)
Wickrema, who was born in Sri Lanka, spoke of a successful program in his native country to teach thousands of students in the country’s largest public school to grow nutritious crops, like chaya (similar to spinach), in bags or containers. “It doesn’t have to be complicated,” he said.
Sommer Sibilly-Brown, the Food and Farm Council’s consultant and moderator for the evening, spoke about the importance of establishing benchmarks and accountability under the guidance of UVI’s Eastern Caribbean Center. “This may be the least sexy but probably the most important of the council’s eight mandates,” she said.
Consultant Sommer Sibilly-Brown served as moderator of the town hall meeting on St. John Tuesday evening. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
“We’re taking a data-driven approach which involves annual surveys for home growers and farmers,” Sibilly-Brown continued. “Our work includes a hazard mitigation plan, collecting data on rain and soil, and (taking into account) forage culture which is still alive and well here.”
The council also works with UVI’s Agriculture and Business Center. Director Shanta Roberts noted that the center now has 23 active clients, has included 85 participants in workshops and training programs, and is partnering with the University of Puerto Rico to offer bilingual programs.
UVI has received all funds allocated under Bill No. 35-0378, including the $250,000 designated for the Office of Sponsored Programs to support grant writing and capacity-building for local farmers and fishers.
Nate Olive of St. Croix’s Ridge to Reef Farm is offering his expertise to encourage organic farming methods. He said 70% of farmers in the territory would like to become trained and certified as organic growers, but the cost of certification is nearly $1,500. Federal and territorial rebates are now being offered to offset this cost.
Nate Olive of Ridge to Reef Farm holds a chaya plant. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Olive also said his Ridge to Reef Farm is once again offering shares in its Community Supported Agriculture Program to buyers on all three islands. Each week from Nov. 1 through Dec. 20, CSA members will receive a box of organic produce assembled on St. Croix and delivered to a central location on each island. This year, members will have the option of customizing the items in their boxes. For further information, visit their website.
Ridge to Reef farm on St. Croix is now offering delivery of locally grown organic produce to Community Supported Agriculture members. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
A total of 60 people attended the meeting in person and online. Those who got to the meeting early were treated to delicious vegan food prepared by Lanz T. Brathwaite (Chief Jakuwa) and his family of the Amore Arowako Vegan Club.
Embaye´, Embeyah, and Lanz T. (Chief Jakuwa) Brathwaite of the Amore Arowako Vegan Club prepared food for meeting-goers. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
The stories, songs, and spirit of the Virgin Islands will take center stage next month when the BVI Literary Festival returns for its fifth edition from Nov. 6 to 9 under the theme “Long Story Short,” a press release announced.
Launched in 2021 as a collaboration between the Department of Culture and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, the festival has grown into one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant gatherings of writers, poets, and readers. This year’s lineup features headliners Zola Mashariki, Celeste Mohammed, Diana McCaulay, Tiphanie Yanique, and Chris Jackson, joined by an array of regional and international voices celebrating storytelling across genres and generations, according to the press release.
A presenter leads a creative workshop during the BVI Literary Festival at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. (Photo courtesy HLSCC)
The festival opens Nov. 6 with the Writers’ Welcome Reception at Rhythm + Sands in Cane Garden Bay — a night of conversation, music, and community. The evening will include an intimate dialogue with award-winning producer Zola Mashariki and live performances by Razor Blades, setting the tone for the weekend ahead, the press release stated.
The Let’s Talk Lit panel discussions follow Nov. 6–7 at HLSCC’s Paraquita Bay Campus, bringing together Caribbean and global writers to explore how creativity connects literature, music, and art. That Friday evening, the festival moves seaside for Sunset Stories at Brandywine Bay, sponsored by VP Bank. The event will feature Celeste Mohammed, Diana McCaulay, and Dr. L. Sauda Smith in a conversation on salt, memory, and migration, and will preview the forthcoming anthology Virgin Islands Noir, set for release in 2026, the release stated.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, Literary Wonderland: Children’s Showcase will highlight young imaginations through interactive storytelling, creative workshops, and play for children ages 4 to 12, with free admission. That same day, the Writing with Writers Workshops will offer hands-on guidance in poetry, fiction, and filmmaking. A publishing panel with industry leaders Johnny Temple, Chris Jackson, Elise Dillsworth, and Yona Deshommes will explore how writers and publishers shape stories that last, it stated.
A storyteller engages children during the Literary Wonderland: Children’s Showcase at the BVI Literary Festival. (Photo courtesy HLSCC)
The night culminates with Light A Fire: Poets’ Showcase at Botella, Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, featuring acclaimed poets Derron Sandy, Isabelle Baafi, and Safiya Kamaria, alongside Virgin Islands talents Johanna Gibson, Linette Rabsatt, and Raven Phillips, the release stated.
The festival concludes Sunday, Nov. 9, with the Book Brunch — a signature roundtable event where readers can share stories and insights directly with featured writers over a communal meal, it stated.
An author signs books for attendees during the BVI Literary Festival’s Writers’ Welcome Reception at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. (Photo courtesy HLSCC)
According to organizers, the BVI Literary Festival continues to bridge generations, cultures, and disciplines through advocacy, education, and cultural exchange, while supporting local businesses and the creative economy. “Long Story Short,” the release notes, “the stories are waiting, the sunsets are waiting, and the conversations that will change us are waiting.”
Tickets for all signature events are available at Beans Coffee Co. at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, the HLSCC Campus Store, the HLSCC Virgin Gorda Centre, and online at www.bvilitfest.com.
Learn more or view the full schedule here.
Virgin Islands Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea has joined a bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general urging Congress to close what they describe as a dangerous loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill that allows intoxicating hemp-derived THC products to be sold without regulation, according to a Justice Department press release.
The coalition’s letter, addressed to congressional leaders, calls for an immediate clarification of the federal definition of “hemp” to prevent the continued sale of synthetic cannabinoids such as delta-8, delta-10, and THC-O. These substances — often stronger than marijuana — are widely available in gas stations, convenience stores, and online marketplaces, often packaged in ways that appeal to children and sold without age restrictions or labeling standards, the press release stated.
“The lack of clarity in the 2018 Farm Bill has created a serious public health and safety issue by allowing intoxicating hemp-derived products to be sold without regulation or oversight,” Rhea said. “These substances are often more potent than marijuana, marketed to children, and sold without proper safety standards. Congress must act swiftly to refine the federal definition of hemp to close this loophole and protect consumers, particularly our youth, from these dangerous and misleading products,” he added.
The coalition urged congressional committees overseeing agriculture and appropriations to act during the fiscal year 2026 budget process or through reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Alongside Rhea, attorneys general from states including California, Texas, New York, Georgia, and Puerto Rico also signed the letter, underscoring the national scope of concern over unregulated hemp-derived THC products, the release stated.
Three women face burglary, robbery, and assault charges after an alleged home invasion in Lindbergh Bay, and a man was arrested in connection with an Oct. 6 shooting in Anna’s Retreat. (Shutterstock image)
Three women were arrested Oct. 25 after police responded to a call about an alleged home invasion in Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas. Court records filed in connection with the incident described an altercation involving men and women confronting the alleged victim over a social media post.
Police arriving on the scene at Kirwan Terrace Housing Community said they found the victim in distress with visible injuries. Documents filed by police in Superior Court said the victim, “explained that the altercation stemmed from an ongoing domestic dispute with her ex-girlfriend, Ms. Ceyanna Clement, and Ceyanna’s sister, Ms. I’Yanna Clement.”
The sisters and another woman, identified as Sania Felix, were also accused of recording the altercation on an electronic device and taking the victim’s cellphone and tablet computer. Investigators later made contact with the assured assailants and retrieved the computer.
Felix and the Clement sisters were charged with burglary, robbery, grand larceny, assault, disturbance of the peace and possession of stolen property.
* * * *
A person of interest spotted in surveillance footage during an Oct. 6 shooting incident in Anna’s Retreat, St. Thomas, was arrested on Oct. 23, charged with attempted murder, reckless endangerment, and related weapons charges. Elroy Brown III was charged in connection with a shooting at the Bonjour Gas Station and Convenience Store. Alleged accomplice Shane Forbes was taken into custody on Oct. 11.
Court documents say that prior to his arrest, Forbes gave a statement to investigators describing an encounter with a former associate in the store that turned violent and led to an exchange of gunshots.
Patrol officers with the Virgin Islands Police Department arrested 33-year-old Lumoses Donawald early Sunday morning on St. Croix on an outstanding warrant connected to a larceny investigation, the department announced.
Police said that around 12:36 a.m., Donawald was taken into custody by the Patrol Bureau in accordance with a warrant issued Oct. 7. He was transported to the Ancilmo Marshall Command, where he was booked on charges of trespass, damaging or tampering with a vehicle, and petit larceny, according to the police report.
VIPD stated that Donawald was later booked at the Wilbur H. Francis Police Station. His bail was set at $1,000, and he was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending an advice of rights hearing.
“I share the deep concerns of parents, educators, and community leaders across the Virgin Islands about the future of school meals for our children. More than 11,000 Virgin Islands students currently receive free lunch through the National School Lunch Program, regardless of income. This program is not only about feeding our children—it is about ensuring their success in the classroom and their well-being at home. Not only does the government shutdown threaten the short-term funding of SNAP and other food program but the massive cuts enacted by Republicans in budget reconciliation threaten to eviscerate the programs that make universal school meals possible nationwide.
“The Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act cuts $186 billion from SNAP, impacting 11,100 Virgin Islands households, and reduces benefits by 20 percent nationwide. Republicans are cutting approximately $900 billion from Medicaid and more than $500 billion from Medicare. In the Virgin Islands alone, 21,000 Medicaid enrollees face potential loss of services or disenrollment, while more than 20,000 Medicare beneficiaries will see their healthcare access severely compromised. Our seniors, families, and most vulnerable residents depend on these programs for lifesaving care.
“These federal funding cuts directly threaten the future of school meal programs. When families lose SNAP or Medicaid eligibility, their children lose access to free or reduced-price school meals. The Community Eligibility Provision, which enables universal free lunch, depends on students being certified as eligible through SNAP and Medicaid. Due to Republican cuts and new work requirements, fewer families will qualify for these programs, meaning fewer schools will qualify for universal free meals.
“I have a strong record of supporting school nutrition programs. I sponsored the bipartisan Farm to School Act to bring more fresh, locally grown foods into schools, doubling funding from $5 million to $10 million. The program has channeled more than $52 million into projects across all states and territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, benefiting nearly 21 million students in 47,000 schools. I have also championed legislation to expand nutrition education through the Food and Nutrition Education in Schools Act. In 2019, I successfully advocated for a 17 percent increase in the federal reimbursement rate for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program in our territory, providing much-needed relief to the Virgin Islands Department of Education.
“I want the people of the Virgin Islands to know that I am committed to working with our local legislators and government officials to develop solutions that protect our students from food insecurity amid devastating Republican cuts. I am hopeful that members of Congress will recognize the cascading effect of these cuts on communities and recognize that tax cuts to billionaires should not be the priority. Our children deserve access to healthy, nutritious meals. I will continue fighting at the federal level while supporting our local leaders in their efforts to secure the future of school lunch programs and protect our students and families.” 
