UN hails Santa Cruz Green Market

Of the 33 countries examined in the report, Trinidad and Tobago is noted for the Santa Cruz Green Market’s example of private sector and community- based entrepreneurship, and its potential for sustainable growth.

The UNEP report was launched in response to the adoption of a 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the UN General Assembly in 2015. Close to 200 nations agreed to this agenda with a pledge to advance world security and inclusivity by ending poverty and protecting natural resources.

Featured projects and initiatives in the report demonstrated several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Santa Cruz Green Market was presented under the heading “The Green Market and the Future of Farming” for reflecting five SDGs, including zero hunger; quality education; gender equality; decent work and economic growth; and responsible consumption and production.

The Santa Cruz Green Market was conceived and launched in 2012 as a social enterprise to foster community-based development, and aims to generate income and revenue for its beneficiary farmers while promoting healthier and more sustainable local consumption.

Vicki Assevero, founder of the Green Market, remarked on what the enterprise’s inclusion in the seminal report signified for TT . “Having the Green Market recognised in a United Nations report of the most promising sustainable initiatives in the Caribbean and Latin America is a huge validation of the work we do as a community,” she stated in a media release. “It certainly shows that Trinidad and Tobago is serious about taking the lead in the global drive to advance sustainable development and economic diversification.

“The Santa Cruz Green Market was formed to change existing patterns of production and consumption by creating direct links between farmers, producers and consumers, and fostering land-based entrepreneurship all in an effort towards strengthening community based sustainability,” Assevero added. “We are bolstered by this recognition and look forward to advancing our efforts, including interactive learning experiences and our own sustainability standard for agriculture that can one day be used on a national and regional level.” Richard Blewitt, United Nations resident co-ordinator and resident representative in TT said in the release: “The UN believes that the private sector and in particular social enterprises are fundamental stakeholders in delivering the sustainable development goals, linking social, environmental and economic action. The Green Market in Trinidad and Tobago is a fantastic model of such a social enterprise in action.” The Green Market was intentionally created using low-impact historical architecture that blends into the natural landscape so that visitors, shoppers and patrons can amble through the landscape and observe plants and fruits growing.

The Green Market is committed to promoting healthy food through farmer and consumer education.

Farmers are driven to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers and genetically modified seeds.