As I walk through the neighbourhoods of Constituency 14, the concerns I hear most often resonate deeply: the rising cost of food, the struggle to feed children, and the challenges seniors face to access nutritious options. These aren’t just complaints; they are lived realities for too many Bermudians. My family included.

Which is why I was deeply disappointed by our government’s recent press conference about improving the cost of living. While it was filled with details of past efforts, it was absent of bold, forward-thinking plans to address rising food costs. While some proposed initiatives such as the Integrated Agriculture Strategy are a step in the right direction, we need more than vague promises for a better tomorrow. We need results, quick processing and tangible outcomes.

With an estimated national budget of $1.2 billion in 2025, reallocating only 5 per cent towards lowering food costs and improving access could transform lives, stabilise finances and reduce dependency on volatile global supply chains. This is not about spending more money; it is about spending it wisely. By innovating and following the United Nations and Commonwealth of Nations recommendations, Bermudian households could be spared thousands of dollars each year in food costs.

Below is a brief example of my list of suggestions that could be achieved collectively with less than 5 per cent of the national budget:

1, Subsidise essential nutrition for mothers and babies: Provide subsidised, affordable prenatal and postnatal vitamins as well as baby formula in collaboration with healthcare professionals as an investment in our future. Formula and breast milk are essential food for infants and toddlers.

2, Nutritional supplement subsidy for seniors: Provide subsidies or discounts in collaboration with healthcare professionals for essential nutritional supplements tailored to seniors, such as Ensure, Glucerna, Boost and nutritional food bars.

3, Child food-security benefit: Provide monthly payments to families with children to support their healthy development and wellbeing.

4, Revise food-donation liability laws: Empower businesses to donate surplus food without penalty of liability, reducing waste and feeding more Bermudians. Support the creation of a pipeline for businesses and restaurants to donate leftover food in a timely manner directly to organisations that assist people in our community such as Meals on Wheels for seniors and The Salvation Army.

5, Invest heavily in local farmers and fishermen.

6, Invest in innovative food-production technologies and initiate government-managed urban farming.

7, Create and support community gardens.

8, Create three collaborative contingency funds to protect the public from sudden spikes in costs:

• A food cost stabilisation fund

• A fishermen’s contingency fund

• A farmers resilience fund

9, Collaborate with Britain to establish new trade agreements and to strengthen existing agreements.

10, Improve ties with Britain and Commonwealth of Nations.

Imagine a Bermuda where seniors no longer have to choose between paying for groceries and keeping on the lights. Where mothers do not need to choose between fresh berries or bread for their children’s lunches. This is achievable, but it requires courage, vision and immediate action.

Throughout my life, I have seen how food security is tied to health, dignity and opportunity. Rising import costs, shipping delays and increasing food waste disproportionately affect seniors, children and vulnerable subsets such as our differently abled friends and family members. The food crisis is not just an economic issue; it is a human rights issue — a question of dignity, fairness and humanity. Yet, in 2025, far too many Bermudians will continue to be denied this fundamental right because of systemic barriers.

As Bermuda's government-endorsed youth delegate to the 2024 World Food Forum of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, I played an active role in shaping global food systems policy for a better future for all. My specific focus was on championing small-island nations.

As a candidate for the 2025 election, I am committed to advocating for every family in Constituency 14 and across Bermuda to have access to affordable, nutritious food.

To the voters of Constituency 14, I ask for your endorsement and your vote. The future starts with us. Together, we can build a food-secure future for our country. Because, at the end of the day, food is what we all have in common.

• Noelle Young is an independent candidate for Devonshire North West (Constituency 14). She can be contacted at 799-4411. Those who wish to submit a digital canvassing form for C14 can go to this link atforms.gle/UNJAjYWcpoWdG94J7. The form is available in English and Portuguese