Food Security

U.S. islands need government policies that support locally grown agriculture programs and reliable food storage and distribution systems to become less dependent on expensive imports, become more self-reliant, and ensure consistent access to food, even during and after a natural disaster.

U.S. islands import between 70–90 percent of their food at a high cost to residents. When natural disasters strike, island communities are vulnerable to food shortages despite having arable land to grow crops and raise livestock, and harvestable seafood available offshore. Islands need support in transitioning their current food systems to more self-sustaining food economies, diversifying their food choices and sources. By making this transition, island communities can support locally produced foods that will increase island food security while simultaneously adding new sectors to the island economy. Transportation, storage, distribution, and refrigeration issues must also be addressed to achieve sustainable, healthy, climate resilient food systems.

The following federal policy recommendations will help U.S. islands achieve climate resilience: 

  1. Support the establishment of locally grown agriculture programs that consider local knowledge and expertise.

  2. Improve food storage and distribution systems

  3. Support sustainable, long-term land-use planning and practices.