A panel on the state of the island’s agriculture industry is among a series of initiatives that a charity will hold this month to highlight the importance of the island’s food industry.

Bermuda Is Love has launched its #LoveLocalFood campaign and invited residents to reflect on the meaning of food, its future and sustainability on the island.

The panel on April 12 at the Bermuda College will run from 6pm to 8pm.

Panellists include Frances Eddy of Bermuda Farmers’ Market; Chaplin Kevin Santucci of the Grow, Eat, Save campaign; and Lee-Anne Cox of the Nature Connection project.

They will examine the state of farming in Bermuda, challenges related to food production and the future of sustainable agriculture on the island.

While the charity stressed the importance of food, it said Bermuda produced only 10 per cent of the food consumed on the island.

It said only half of the island’s natural arable land was being farmed and added: “This contributes to food insecurity and the high cost of imported food, making it harder for people to afford quality, nutritious meals.”

Bermuda Is Love said: “We believe in a future where Bermuda is fully food secure. Where no one must choose between feeding their family or paying rent.

“We must recognise that access to fresh, nutritious food is not a privilege but a human right.

“It is to understand that the strength of a society is measured not by its wealth, but by its ability to nourish its people.

“We demand that every Bermudian deserves access to fresh, nutritious food at all times.”

As part of the campaign, the charity will showcase work being done in the island’s food sector and discuss challenges and opportunities in the agriculture and fishing industry.

On Thursday, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute will team up with Bermuda Is Love to host an interactive discussion on “The Right To Food”.

The event will run from 7pm as part of the BUEI Talks series.

It will cover the roles that businesses and agriculture play in fostering fair, sustainable and accessible food systems, BUEI said.

Speakers will help the audience to understand more about the shared responsibilities of individuals, businesses and governments in ensuring the right to food for all.

Tickets for BUEI Talks are $20 for BUEI members, $25 for non-members and $10 for students with a valid ID.

They can be bought online through the BUEI website or Ptix, at BUEI’s Oceans Gift Shop or by calling 294-0204.

Bermuda Is Love will also host community gardening days and farm tours.

The charity will engage with farmers, fishers, chefs, restaurateurs, educators, and activists to explore solutions for a stronger local food system.

“This is a call to action, not just to support local food, but to become part of a movement that ensures Bermuda can feed itself for generations to come,” the organisation said.