For many, Abaco represents paradise. But beneath its tranquil surface, a critical issue demands attention: a deep reliance on imported food that leaves the island vulnerable. At Many Hands, we’re dedicated to cultivating a resilient future for the communities we serve in Haiti and Abaco. Understanding this urgent need in Abaco is one of the first crucial steps in our partnership with the community.

For decades, Abaco has depended heavily on external food sources. “My guess would be probably about 95% of Abaco’s food is imported into the island,” shares Duran, an Abaco farmer passionate about local food solutions and transforming youth through agriculture. This stark statistic, from a young man deeply rooted in the island’s food systems, reveals a fundamental vulnerability—a dependence that can have devastating consequences when disrupted.

The fragility of this reliance was laid bare by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. The catastrophic storm not only reshaped the landscape but also severed vital supply lines, leaving communities isolated and without basic necessities. Huel Moss, a dedicated Abaco farmer and educator whose authentic insights into the island’s agriculture directly inform Many Hands’ initiatives, vividly recalls this harrowing period:

His words resonate deeply, highlighting how a natural disaster can turn an economic reliance into a crisis of survival. Duran echoes this experience, stating, “…during Dorian, food security was a big issue, too. We have to import so much, and with everything destroyed… you didn’t know when food was going to resume.“

Pictured Above: Duran, a farmer in Abaco. 

The impact extended beyond immediate scarcity. As Daphne, co-owner of Neem Farm, is pioneering more sustainable and organic agriculture production for the island, powerfully expressed, “Well, there wasn’t one piece of produce, period… without the farmer, you can’t eat… a country that cannot feed itself is not an independent country.” This sentiment, shared by someone who literally built soil from rock to grow food, underscores a critical truth: true independence and long-term stability are inextricably linked to a nation’s ability to feed its own people. When communities cannot reliably access or produce their own food, their autonomy and well-being are compromised.

At Many Hands, we see these challenges not as insurmountable obstacles, but as a compelling call to action. We believe in empowering communities to build self-sufficiency from the ground up. The journey towards a food-secure Abaco is one that requires vision, dedication, and collaborative effort from us and our partners.

So, how is Abaco responding to this critical need? Next week, we’ll introduce you to more incredible partnerships and innovative solutions already taking root on the island. Stay tuned to discover how passionate individuals and organizations are transforming the landscape of agriculture in Abaco.

To learn more about our ongoing agricultural initiatives in Abaco, visit mh4a.org/agriculture.

• Abaco faces a critical challenge with 95% of its food being imported, leading to high vulnerability.
• Hurricane Dorian exposed the fragility of this reliance on imports, underscoring the urgent need for food security.
• Local farmers like Duran, Huel, and Daphne emphasize that self-sufficiency in food production is vital for true independence.
• Many Hands is partnering with local communities to build foundational resilience from the ground up.

About Many Hands:

Many Hands is an Iowa-based nonprofit creating local and global life transformation. Established in 2008, the organization aims to ignite generosity, grow community, and take people on IMPACT journeys to carve a new, better path to life. Each year, the organization reaches at least 25,000 people through its operations in the Caribbean, IMPACT Trips serving in Abaco, Bahamas, and Many Hands Thrift Markets located in Iowa.

Many Hands is called to transform together, to be love in action, in a broken world.