Audrey Lewis, lovingly remembered by her family and friends, was born on Nov. 30, 1949, and peacefully passed away on March 20, 2026. She lived a life filled with love, devotion, and strength, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be cherished by all who knew her.
Audrey Lewis
A family and close friends viewing will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Divine Chapel, #129 Peter’s Rest, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A funeral service will take place at the Apostolic Faith Mission, #487 Strawberry Hill, Kingshill, VI 00850, with viewing at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m.
Audrey leaves to cherish her precious memories her beloved daughters, Carlene Lee and Marlene Johnson; her devoted sons, Allan and Devon Lewis; and her cherished grandchildren, Kimeisha Lewis, Jahsaria, Jahsar Bachelor, and Jahkayla Bachelor, Myeeteh Kamara-Lewis, Janae and Jamal Johnson. She is also survived by her brothers, David, Denfield, and Kenworth Crawford, and her sister, Camella Nesbitt.
She will be fondly remembered by her daughter-in-law, Christiana Kamara-Lewis; her sons-in-law, Shawn Lee and Earnest Johnson; her nieces, Shavon, Laverne, Genevieve, Kera, Kia, Cindy, Lorisha, Kathleen, Valerie, Mary, Claudette, Angie, Joann, and Kim; and her nephews, Rowan, Leon, Philpurt, George, Earl, Kenworth Jr., Kasim, Denton, Sam, Melrose, McClean, Ajai, Brandon, Kenrick, and Kevin.
Audrey also leaves behind a loving extended family, including the family of the late Doren Higgins, Mary Ann Joseph, the Nicholas family, and Rosalind Aaron, along with many more cousins. She will be deeply missed by her special friends Helena and Margaret, the members of the Apostolic Faith Mission, and a host of other relatives and dear friends too numerous to mention.
Audrey’s warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for her family will never be forgotten. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.
Pauline Hector, better known as Ineta, age 88 transitioned to the heavenly realm on March 18 in Decatur, GA.Pauline Hector
She was predeceased by her mother, Maisie Fergus; father, Beresford Brown, Sr. and husband, Ghirton Hector, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Vertilee Henry; grandson Janai Carter; Adopted daughter, Monic Nurse; sisters, Denyse Farquharson, Patricia Larsen, Glaretta Pond, Ishmaelita Goode; godchildren, Robert Canton, Sr., Shenelle Browne, Cera Trotman-Larsen, Adrian Smith, Rodaysha Canton, George Esiape, Franklin Benjamin; brother-in-law, Hans “Panchie” Larsen, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Everne Rhymer, Doreen James; special cousins, Bernard & Monica Jacobs, Austin Benjamin, Mary Thomas, Geraldine James, Gail Browne, Germaine McFarland; nieces, Arah Lewis-Smith, Monique Farquharson, Lucia Goode; nephews, Hans “Pops” Larsen, Jr., Huan Larsen, Sr., Harald “Rocky” Larsen, Hank “PT” Larsen, Dwayne Farquharson, Babatunde Lewis, Richard Goode; great nieces, Shayla Larsen, Lila Larsen, Mia Larsen, Hannah Larsen, Halle Larsen, Victoria Larsen, Halayna Larsen, Anise Smith, Phoenix Goode, Janaya Goode; great nephews, Justin Larsen, Damani Farquharson, Amari Larsen, Ade Larsen, Devante Larsen, Huan Larsen, Jr., Zander Smith, Richard O. Goode; great-great nephews, Kylan Price, Joshua Torres, Jr., Jayce Larsen, Amir Farquharson; great-great nieces: Hazel Larsen, Madison Price; special friends: Jean Smalls, Yvonne & Wesley Browne, Christobelle Griffin, Lawrence Lewis, Vania Larsen, Franklin Mathias, Padgett George, Angela Browne, Linda Larsen, Glendine McNamara, Roxanne Thomas, Stephanie Scale, Sylvia Reed, Angie Hendricks, JoAnn Josiah & Family Smith Family, Attwood Family, Heskey Family, Cathy Mason & Family, Turner Family, Paxon Family and many more family and friends too numerous to mention.
Funeral service will be held on April 24 at Friedensthal Moravian Church. Viewing begins at 9 am, with service at 10 am. Interment will be held at Moravian Church Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is pleased to announce the launch of two vital scholarship opportunities aimed at uplifting and investing in the next generation of leaders from St. Croix. Applications for the Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund and the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund may be submitted beginning April 21 and are due on June 3.
St. Croix Foundation
Both scholarships are rooted in the Foundation’s commitment to educational equity, youth empowerment, and community transformation.
The Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund will award a minimum of three scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 to 2026 graduates from St. Croix public, private, or parochial schools. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher while providing proof of acceptance to an accredited college or university. Applicants will also be required to submit an essay that outlines the impact this scholarship will have on their ambitions and how their education will impact St. Croix and the global community, as well as upload a brief video outlining their educational and career goals.
The Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund is designed to assist graduating seniors from St. Croix public high schools and will award three scholarships of up to $4,000 to eligible applicants. Established by Junior Gaspard in honor of his grandparents and their perseverance, all applicants will be asked to submit an essay describing a time they met and overcame an obstacle, and a brief video presentation describing their educational and career goals. Applicants must also indicate acceptance to an accredited institute of higher learning and maintain a GPA of 2.0 and higher.
The Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund and Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund reflect a shared mission between St. Croix Foundation and the founders of the funds, Junior Gaspard and Raydiance Wise, to nurture the next generation by enhancing educational opportunities for St. Croix youth.
Since its establishment in 2022, the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund has awarded over $33,000 in scholarships to 15 young people pursuing degrees in STEM fields. The Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund has awarded a total of $113,000 in scholarships to 24 students since its establishment in 2018. Notably, three recipients from this Fund were supported for the full four years of their undergraduate journey – they are now pursuing advanced degrees in meteorology, biochemistry, and music education.
Deanna James, President & CEO of St. Croix Foundation, stated that “These scholarships are more than financial aid — they are investments in the promise, talent, and future leadership of St. Croix. When our community gives back, we create pathways for young people to thrive, return their skills home, and transform the Virgin Islands.”
Application Process
Interested graduating seniors can find more details and instructions on how to apply for either or both scholarship opportunities on the Foundation’s website at https://www.stxfoundation.org/grants-scholarships/. All applications will be carefully reviewed by the St. Croix Foundation Grants & Scholarships Review Committee, and applicants will be notified of decisions by June 30, 2026. All scholarship recipients are required to report on their successes and challenges throughout the year to ensure that the funds continue to meet current needs and provide additional support as needed.
For assistance with the application process, students can contact Lilli Cox at the Foundation at lcox@stxfoundation.org or 340.773.9898.
St. Croix Foundation invites Virgin Islanders near and far to invest in our youth today. Each year, our young people remind us of a time when we stood exactly where our graduating seniors stand today: on the edge of possibility, carrying big dreams and even bigger questions about how to get there. St. Croix Foundation for Community Development invites every Virgin Islander to remember that moment and to show up for the next generation. To support the Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund or the Lang‑Wise STEM Scholarship Fund, donate online at https://stxfoundation.info/GivetoAFund or call 340.773.9898.
The St. Croix Foundation extends its gratitude to local Crucians and advisors Raydiance Wise, Alice Lang, Junior Gaspard, and Anquanette Gasprad for supporting these scholarship funds, which are strategically empowering St. Croix youth. For more information about how to support these special funds, please visit www.stxfoundation.org or call 340.773.9898.
Dudley Newman Feuerzeig LLP (DNF) is proud to announce that Partners Chad C. Messier and Charlotte K. Perrell (Managing Partner of the firm) have each accepted an invitation to become Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), a prestigious, peer-selected honorary society of trial lawyers.
Chad C. Messier and Charlotte K. Perrell (Submitted photo)
Comprising less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers, the LCA is an invitation-only network limited to 3,500 of the nation’s leading litigators. Fellows are rigorously vetted and selected based on demonstrated excellence and accomplishment in litigation at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as a superior ethical reputation. The society is known for its commitment to diversity and for fostering a close-knit collegial network of top advocates who represent clients across North America and around the world.
“I am deeply honored to accept this invitation to join the Litigation Counsel of America,” said Chad C. Messier. “This recognition reflects the high standards of advocacy and ethical practice that have guided my career. I look forward to collaborating with the finest trial lawyers in the country while continuing to deliver exceptional results for our clients in the U.S. Virgin Islands and beyond.”
Charlotte K. Perrell added: “I am thrilled to join this distinguished group of advocates. It is a privilege to be recognized alongside such accomplished litigators and to represent the high caliber of legal talent from the Virgin Islands on a national stage.”
Chad C. Messier joined Dudley Newman Feuerzeig LLP in 1993 directly from Vanderbilt Law School, where he served as Managing Editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review. He became a Partner in 2000 and served as Managing Partner of the firm from 2003 through 2018. A seasoned litigator with more than 30 years of experience, he practices in general commercial litigation, insurance defense, products liability defense, and aviation law. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Messier holds the AV Preeminent® peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, is a member of the American Law Institute and the Defense Research Institute and is ranked by Chambers and Partners.
Charlotte K. Perrell is not only the Managing Partner of DNF, but also a key member of the firm’s litigation department. She focuses her practice on complex business litigation. Charlotte spent her childhood on Water Island, USVI, where she attended Antilles School. She then returned to the Territory in 2013 after practicing for 20 years in Atlanta, Georgia, where she founded Perrell Law, LLC. She is Board Certified in Legal Malpractice by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, served as President of the Virgin Islands Bar Association in 2021, is a member of the American Law Institute, and is ranked by Chambers and Partners. She earned her J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law in 1994.
About DNF: Dudley Newman Feuerzeig LLP is a dynamic, full-service law firm located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with offices on the two main islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix. The firm’s attorneys are leading practitioners dedicated to providing the highest caliber legal services to clients throughout the Territory and the region.
81C is pleased to introduce THE WORDS, an evolving literary platform anchored by a spoken word and open mic series hosted by UVI’s Safa Monsanto, 81C’s Zack Zook, and featured guests. The inaugural event will take place at 81C’s primary location in downtown Charlotte Amalie on May 22.THE WORDS is designed as a dynamic and inclusive program that brings together students, educators, and the broader creative community through shared expression.
Rooted in an open, authentic, and accessible atmosphere, the series intentionally merges youth participation with general audience engagement—creating a setting where emerging student voices comfortably exist alongside established and first-time performers alike. Through a structured student session ages 10+ (5–7 p.m.), followed by an open general community session (7-10 p.m.), the program establishes a natural continuum between learning, experimentation, and public presentation.
Beyond its role as a recurring event, THE WORDS will serve as a broader literary initiative—positioned as the literary arm of 81C Arts. The open mic series functions as both an anchor and incubator, from which additional programming will grow. This includes open writing workshops, student-centered literary development sessions, and expanded opportunities for educators and community members to engage with the space through language-based creative practice.
A central focus of this initiative is active engagement between student participants and the broader open mic community. By cultivating relationships with educators, schools, and youth programs across the territory, 81C aims to create a consistent pathway for students to participate, perform, and develop within a live cultural environment. These efforts are intended to attract emerging literary voices and provide a meaningful bridge between academic exploration and real-world creative expression, fostering confidence, connection, and growth across generations.
In summary, 81C will open its space under THE WORDS umbrella to expand its literary programs and reinforce its mission as a cultural hub and creative art space. We welcome creative collaboration of kinds with educators, University partners, writers, and community leaders in supporting and growing THE WORDS.
The Virgin Islands Department of Education is excited to announce the STEM Expo 2026, an annual event celebrating the top student winners of school science fairs across the St. Croix District.
The Expo will be held at UVI RTPark on April 23, and is proudlysponsored by the Virgin Islands Department of Education, Division of Curriculum and Instruction STX District, and the UVI RTPark from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The event will highlight the creativity, innovation, and hard work of K–12 students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
The Expo provides the top five winners from each participating school the opportunity to present their projects to the public, demonstrating critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition to showcasing their projects, students will be recognized for their exceptional creativity and scientific inquiry through awards and prizes.
The STEM Expo supports academic excellence by encouraging students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, engage with digital tools, and develop strong communication skills. It also fosters meaningful engagement between students, educators, and community members, celebrating achievement and inspiring continued growth in STEAM education.
The Virgin Islands Department of Education extends sincere appreciation to UVI RTParkand the VIDE Division of Curriculum and Instructionfor sponsoring the event, as well as to the participating schools, volunteers, and community partners who help make the STEM Expo 2026 a success.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is pleased to announce the rollout of updated food packages, offering greater flexibility and improved nutritional value for participating families.
“The Department of Health welcomes these enhancements, which align directly with our mission to reduce health risks and improve outcomes for women and children,” said Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion. “Research consistently shows that WIC is effective in supporting healthier families, and these updates further strengthen the program by expanding access to wholesome, nutritious foods.”
Key enhancements to the WIC food packages include a permanent increase in the cash value benefit (CVB), ensuring participants continue receiving higher monthly support, approximately $25 to $49, for fruits and vegetables, depending on the category.
Additional updates include expanded food options such as whole grain pasta, cornmeal, canned fish, such as tuna, and yogurt. These changes reflect the latest science-based nutritional guidelines.
“These changes give our participants more flexibility and better options to serve healthy meals at home,” said Lorna Concepcion, Director of the WIC Program. “The increase in the cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables, along with expanded whole grain choices, supports families in making healthier everyday decisions.”
The updates represent the final phase of the food package modernization in the U.S. Virgin Islands and are part of a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure WIC families have access to nutritious foods that support positive health outcomes for both mothers and children.
WIC participants in the U.S. Virgin Islands can begin accessing the new food benefits that became available, Friday, April 17, 2026.
WIC’s nutrition education, breastfeeding support programs along with access to healthy foods shows our continued commitment to supporting the health and well-being of women, infants, and young children throughout the VI.
For more information or to apply for WIC benefits, visit https://doh.vi.gov or contact your local WIC clinic at 340-718-9157 or 340-776-1770.
About the US Virgin Islands WIC Program
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a federally funded initiative that provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, and support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk and meet income guidelines. The program aims to improve health outcomes and promote healthy eating habits among participants.
Under glowing early-morning skies along St. Croix’s Southside Road, 22 runners gathered at ARTfarm for the annual Farm-To-Park Prediction Run, a five-mile event that rewards precision over pace.
Racers assemble at the starting line. (Submitted photo)
Unlike traditional races, the unique format challenged participants to estimate their finish time for the point-to-point course from ARTfarm to East End Marine Park—without the aid of watches or timing devices. Victory went not to the fastest runner, but to the one who came closest to their predicted time.
Kevin Burton claimed top honors, finishing just 19 seconds off his estimate. Joey Liburd secured second place, missing his predicted time by 35 seconds, while Billy Bohlke rounded out the top three, just 41 seconds off his mark.
In the women’s division, Bridget Klein delivered the closest prediction, finishing 58 seconds off her estimated time to place fourth overall. Heidi followed as the second female finisher, clocking in 1 minute, 13 seconds off her prediction and placing fifth overall, while Hannah Wisdom was third among the women, finishing eighth overall with a difference of 1 minute, 49 seconds.
Awards were also presented to the day’s fastest runners. Ayden Cintron posted the quickest overall time in 28:18, while Klein doubled up with the fastest female time of 34:02.
One of the day’s standout performances came from 10-year-old Jamal Rogers, who, despite never having run more than a mile before, completed the full five-mile course in an impressive 46:08, hinting at a promising future in the sport.
The event once again highlighted the camaraderie and creativity of the local running community, turning a simple road race into a test of strategy, self-awareness, and endurance.
For information about running in the VI and/or the St Croix Road Racing Committee, please contact tcharper@yahoo.com or call 340-513-2707
My Brother’s Workshop is proud to announce a community brunch fundraiser in support of the Family Resource Center, an organization that has served as a vital lifeline for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in the U.S. Virgin Islands for more than 45 years.
Family Resource Center
FRC provides essential services, including emergency shelter, crisis counseling, and advocacy for individuals and families in crisis. However, the organization is currently facing a severe financial shortfall, having not yet received over $220,000 in approved government funding. This delay has left staff unpaid and critical services at risk.
Despite these challenges, FRC Executive Director Anya Stuart remains resolute: “We cannot close our doors.”
In response, MBW is partnering with FRC to host a Brunch Benefit Fundraiser, inviting the community to come together in support of this essential mission.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location:MBW Main Campus, 1-6 Estate Donoe, St. Thomas
All proceeds from the brunch ticket sales will directly benefit FRC, helping to sustain its critical programs and services during this urgent time.
Community members are encouraged to attend, bring family and friends, and stand in solidarity with those in need. Together, we can ensure that FRC continues to provide safety, support, and hope to those who need it most.
About My Brother’s Workshop
My Brother’s Workshop is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth in the U.S. Virgin Islands through education, job training, counseling, and job placement.
About Family Resource Center
Family Resource Center provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, working to promote safety, healing, and justice across the territory.
Tickets for the Brunch Benefit for FRC may be purchased at https://pro.gofundme.com/event/brunch-to-benefit-family-resource-center/e791969
Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the statement below following the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status until April 20, 2029.
Congresswoman Plaskett and Haitian Ambassador Lionel Delatour. (Submitted photo)
The vote to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until April 20, 2029 follows the successful adoption of H. Res. 965, the Discharge Petition led by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) to consider H.R. 1689. This marks a significant milestone in Congresswoman Plaskett’s longstanding efforts to protect Haitian TPS holders. Congresswoman Plaskett assisted this week in whipping votes for passage of the legislation. The bipartisan vote comes after the Administration moved to revoke TPS from more than 350,000 Haitian nationals; protections that a federal court order has been keeping in place.
Congresswoman Plaskett has been instrumental in Congress to defend these protections. In 2025, she led a congressional letter with 48 of her colleagues to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem urging the immediate extension of TPS for Haitian nationals, detailing the catastrophic humanitarian conditions on the island, including gang violence that has killed thousands of civilians and displaced over 1.4 million Haitians. Congresswoman Plaskett has continued to advocate for Haitian TPS holders through legislation, coalition building, and direct engagement with the Administration.
“Our immigrant neighbors and their children are not our enemies, and today this body affirmed that reality,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “Haitian TPS holders contribute nearly $6 billion to the U.S. economy each year and annually pay $1.56 billion in taxes, as they are required to do, even though they are not eligible for the benefits that they directly help fund, like Social Security. For over 15 years, Haitian TPS holders have started families, built businesses, and contributed to communities throughout this country as teachers, caregivers, and more. Today’s vote is a critical step toward restoring their protections.”
Haiti’s TPS designation was first granted after the deadliest earthquake in the history of the Western Hemisphere killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than a million Haitians. Despite these deep roots in American communities, President Trump stripped legal status from otherwise law-abiding Haitian nationals.
Congresswoman Plaskett continued, “It is notable that even members of the Trump Cabinet understand this reality and the profound negative consequences of this decision. According to HHS Secretary Kennedy, there is already a shortage of health care workers. A mass deportation of Haitians will worsen the caregiving crisis. More than 20 percent of Haitians in the United States work in healthcare and help comprise the 1 in 4 long-term care workers who are immigrants. This decision is counterproductive, and even one of the most questionable members of this Cabinet understands that reality.”
Congresswoman Plaskett continued, “Arbitrarily stripping Temporary Protected Status from Haitians is cruel and unconscionable. It forces Haitian people to return to a nation in abject chaos. Congress took a stand against pulling the rug out from under our law-abiding neighbors. We must now see this bill through the Senate and to the President’s desk.”
BACKGROUND: Discharge Petitions are a procedural tool that allow Members of Congress to bring to the House floor for consideration a public bill or resolution that has been referred to committee but not reported, once 218 Members have signed the petition. This allows the consideration of legislation outside of regular order, which is controlled by the Speaker of the House.
THE WORDS is designed as a dynamic and inclusive program that brings together students, educators, and the broader creative community through shared expression.
Rooted in an open, authentic, and accessible atmosphere, the series intentionally merges youth participation with general audience engagement—creating a setting where emerging student voices comfortably exist alongside established and first-time performers alike. Through a structured student session ages 10+ (5–7 p.m.), followed by an open general community session (7-10 p.m.), the program establishes a natural continuum between learning, experimentation, and public presentation.
Beyond its role as a recurring event, THE WORDS will serve as a broader literary initiative—positioned as the literary arm of 81C Arts. The open mic series functions as both an anchor and incubator, from which additional programming will grow. This includes open writing workshops, student-centered literary development sessions, and expanded opportunities for educators and community members to engage with the space through language-based creative practice.
A central focus of this initiative is active engagement between student participants and the broader open mic community. By cultivating relationships with educators, schools, and youth programs across the territory, 81C aims to create a consistent pathway for students to participate, perform, and develop within a live cultural environment. These efforts are intended to attract emerging literary voices and provide a meaningful bridge between academic exploration and real-world creative expression, fostering confidence, connection, and growth across generations.
In summary, 81C will open its space under THE WORDS umbrella to expand its literary programs and reinforce its mission as a cultural hub and creative art space. We welcome creative collaboration of kinds with educators, University partners, writers, and community leaders in supporting and growing THE WORDS. 
The Expo will be held at UVI RTPark on April 23, and is proudly sponsored by the Virgin Islands Department of Education, Division of Curriculum and Instruction STX District, and the UVI RTPark from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The event will highlight the creativity, innovation, and hard work of K–12 students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
The Expo provides the top five winners from each participating school the opportunity to present their projects to the public, demonstrating critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition to showcasing their projects, students will be recognized for their exceptional creativity and scientific inquiry through awards and prizes.
The STEM Expo supports academic excellence by encouraging students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, engage with digital tools, and develop strong communication skills. It also fosters meaningful engagement between students, educators, and community members, celebrating achievement and inspiring continued growth in STEAM education.
The Virgin Islands Department of Education extends sincere appreciation to UVI RTPark and the VIDE Division of Curriculum and Instruction for sponsoring the event, as well as to the participating schools, volunteers, and community partners who help make the STEM Expo 2026 a success. 
“The Department of Health welcomes these enhancements, which align directly with our mission to reduce health risks and improve outcomes for women and children,” said Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion. “Research consistently shows that WIC is effective in supporting healthier families, and these updates further strengthen the program by expanding access to wholesome, nutritious foods.”
Key enhancements to the WIC food packages include a permanent increase in the cash value benefit (CVB), ensuring participants continue receiving higher monthly support, approximately $25 to $49, for fruits and vegetables, depending on the category.
Additional updates include expanded food options such as whole grain pasta, cornmeal, canned fish, such as tuna, and yogurt. These changes reflect the latest science-based nutritional guidelines.
“These changes give our participants more flexibility and better options to serve healthy meals at home,” said Lorna Concepcion, Director of the WIC Program. “The increase in the cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables, along with expanded whole grain choices, supports families in making healthier everyday decisions.”
The updates represent the final phase of the food package modernization in the U.S. Virgin Islands and are part of a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure WIC families have access to nutritious foods that support positive health outcomes for both mothers and children.
WIC participants in the U.S. Virgin Islands can begin accessing the new food benefits that became available, Friday, April 17, 2026.
WIC’s nutrition education, breastfeeding support programs along with access to healthy foods shows our continued commitment to supporting the health and well-being of women, infants, and young children throughout the VI.
For more information or to apply for WIC benefits, visit https://doh.vi.gov or contact your local WIC clinic at 340-718-9157 or 340-776-1770.
About the US Virgin Islands WIC Program
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a federally funded initiative that provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, and support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk and meet income guidelines. The program aims to improve health outcomes and promote healthy eating habits among participants. 
