Disaster Response Jamaica Project #72910

Melissa Response: Farms & Food Security

by Blue Atlas

Summary

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, as one of the strongest storms on record. Blue Atlas recovery grants have helped rebuild farms that anchor their communities, including a greenhouse now selling 2,500 heads of lettuce a week. Next, we are building FEAST Centers in Kingston and Treasure Beach for training in climate-smart agriculture and aquaculture, with more parishes, seaweed demonstrations and backyard systems coming in 2027.

$151,000
total goal

$149,848
remaining

6
donors

0
monthly donors

2
fundraisers

1
year

Challenge

Hurricane Melissa caused an estimated US$192 million in farm losses in Jamaica, damaging backyard and commercial farms, fisheries, fish farms and local food systems. Now drought across seven parishes is cutting harvests just as farmers rebuild, while Jamaica spends close to US$1.5 billion a year on imported food. Water-smart blue foods like aquaponics, aquaculture and seaweed can help Jamaica grow more of its own food. Farmers and local organizations are doing the hard part. Our goal is to help.

Solution

Each FEAST Center is built with local partners such as International Samaritans Jamaica and BREDS, then handed over for them to run. Our in-person and virtual trainings teach water-saving aquaponics and aquaculture, with ongoing troubleshooting, and we co-fund up to 50% of backyard systems. Universities, the Caribbean Aquaculture Hub and its youth arm, YCA, test and share what works with farmers. A large shrimp project in Westmoreland will add local protein and reduce reliance on food imports.

Long-Term Impact

With a university partner, the Caribbean Aquaculture Hub and YCA, we are creating a higher-education curriculum in aquaculture, so the next generation of farmers can lead Jamaica's response to food insecurity. Each FEAST Center will be a working demonstration farm hosting tours and trainings for communities in Treasure Beach, Riverton and near Negril. In late 2027, Blue Foods Caribe, our interactive map, will connect Blue Foods across the region.