GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM):---  Friday, October 16, 2026, marks World Food Day, and the Collective Prevention Service (CPS), an executive agency of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry of VSA), is calling on the Sint Maarten community to recognize the importance of healthy eating, food security and access to safe, affordable and nutritious food as essential components of public health and well-being.

World Food Day is part of CPS's annual calendar of health observances and offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the relationship between nutrition, disease prevention, sustainable food production, and the challenges of ensuring everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food.

The 2026 World Food Day theme, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”

This year's theme highlights the importance of combining innovation, traditional knowledge, community participation, and sustainable approaches to food production and distribution to build healthier, more resilient food systems for present and future generations.

World Food Day is observed annually on October 16 to commemorate the FAO's founding in 1945. The international observance highlights global hunger, malnutrition, food insecurity, and the need for sustainable agriculture and food systems.

For Sint Maarten, World Food Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of ensuring residents have access to healthy, affordable food and to recognize the connection between nutrition, public health, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

CPS emphasizes that maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is one of the most important steps individuals and families can take to protect their health and reduce their risk of developing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Unhealthy dietary habits, including excessive consumption of salt, sugar, saturated fats and highly processed foods, can contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other chronic health conditions. 

These diseases remain significant public health challenges throughout the Caribbean.

CPS encourages residents to make healthier food choices by including a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and appropriate protein sources in their daily meals.

Traditional Caribbean foods such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, and fresh fish can support a balanced, nutritious diet when prepared with healthy cooking methods.

Residents are also encouraged to reduce sugary drink consumption, choose water more often, limit high-sodium foods, and avoid excessive processed foods.

Healthy eating doesn't have to mean expensive or complicated meals. Planning meals, selecting nutritious ingredients, preparing food at home and reducing food waste can help families make better use of their food budgets.

As the global community observes World Food Day 2026, CPS calls on Sint Maarten residents to reflect on their everyday food choices and the role they can play in promoting healthier families and a more resilient community.

Small changes, including preparing balanced meals, choosing healthier beverages, reducing food waste, supporting local food initiatives, and teaching children good nutritional habits, can collectively contribute to improved public health.

CPS encourages every household to make healthy eating a priority and to recognize that investing in good nutrition today contributes to healthier individuals, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.

World Food Day 2026 – “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”

Healthy food, healthy people, healthy communities.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator (NDC) Clive Richardson of the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) says forecasters at Colorado State University (CSU) Department of Atmospheric Science forecast 60 percent below-normal storm formation activity for the next two weeks.

Richardson added that while the Atlantic season for the Caribbean area has been rather quiet, this has not been the case for the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which has been considerably more active and intense than normal, producing numerous powerful hurricanes, including three that reached Category 5 intensity when the broader Eastern and Central Pacific are considered.

According to the National Hurricane Center's October 15 seasonal summary, the Eastern Pacific has already recorded 19 named storms, nine hurricanes and six major hurricanes within its reporting area.

So far, the Atlantic has seen nine named storms: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, and Isaias; the latter became the first hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season and the first major storm, Category 3.

Remember, one tropical storm or hurricane passing near or directly over the island can cause significant damage, disrupt essential services, and threaten lives.

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) therefore reminds residents and the business community that preparedness should never be based solely on seasonal forecasts. Approach every hurricane season with the same level of readiness, whether it is forecast to be above normal, near normal, or below normal.

The remaining 2026 storm names are: Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, and Wilfred.

The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and resources you need on how to prepare your family, home, or business for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart.” The information here is also valuable for new residents.

Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during, and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather-related news and information, as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister and the chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), by going to the @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

For official weather-related information, rely on forecasts that can be found on the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/

Remember, it only takes one hurricane to make it a bad season.  Remain vigilant and prepared!

The hurricane season runs through November 30.