Restaurants located at the Port Mall are encountering challenges when it comes to sourcing fresh vegetables and other food ingredients for their daily menus. Oasis Salad and Juice Bar, for instance, have reported difficulties in obtaining seafood as they rely on suppliers based in Trinidad. They mentioned resorting to using the Fast Ferry to procure their supplies, although they are still managing. Similarly, when we inquired with Coconuts Cafe about their sea bridge-related issues, they also shared that they face difficulties in accessing produce, notably breadfruit, and grocery items. Many other restaurants in Tobago express similar concerns.
To address this issue, both the THA and the central government aim to encourage farmers to supply these businesses. However, Curtis Williams, the Chairman of the Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, does not view this as a viable solution. He expressed concerns that Tobago’s farmers are unreliable and inconsistent. Additionally, he explained that if they were to engage in farming more seriously, they would require assistance from the THA.
Williams does not believe Tobago’s farmers can supply produce commercially. Despite his concerns, TADCO has a mandate to improve food security on the island and they are working towards achieving that goal.
