Lettsome Calls Food Baskets Outdated, Proposes Electronic
Community advocate and Territorial At-Large candidate Levor Lettsome has dismissed government food basket initiatives as outdated, urging the administration to replace them with an electronic supplementary assistance programme. He also questioned government spending priorities, arguing funds for projects like the DeCastro Street sidewalk works should be redirected to direct social support.
The Virgin Islands Party administration is failing to provide adequate social safety nets for struggling families and should abandon outdated food basket models in favour of a structured electronic assistance programme, according to community advocate Levor Lettsome. Lettsome, who chairs the newly formed Virgin Islands Innovative Association (VIIA) and is its first declared Territorial At-Large candidate, argued that vulnerable residents facing high living costs and unemployment need sustained support and greater dignity.
Speaking on the Talking Points radio programme, Lettsome questioned why the Territory continues to rely on food baskets, describing the approach as outdated and overly restrictive. Referring to traditional food basket initiatives, Lettsome argued that such programmes allow the government to dictate what families can and cannot receive.
He proposed moving toward an electronic benefits card system, similar to the United States food stamp model, which could be designated as supplementary assistance. Under this proposal, a fixed monthly amount would be credited onto beneficiaries' cards, allowing them to purchase food and essentials directly from local retailers while sparing them the indignity of repeatedly visiting the Social Development Department for ad-hoc help.
His remarks follow announcements by Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley and Minister for Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation Lorna Smith regarding a review of the Protected Basket of Goods initiative. That measure, which ran from May 1 to July 31, aimed to curb inflation on selected essential items.
Officials recently met with supermarket operators and state agencies to evaluate pricing and shopping trends before deciding whether to revive or modify the price-cap mechanism as households contend with high electricity, fuel, and grocery bills. In addition to food security, Lettsome questioned the administration's broader financial management.
He pointed directly to the proposed DeCastro Street Sidewalks Improvement Project, arguing that the more than $700,000 earmarked to carry out the capital works and dig up trees would have been far better allocated to the Social Development Department to directly support struggling residents.
Lettsome also criticised the government's handling of national governance and constitutional reform, asserting that significant decisions impacting the Territory should involve the wider public through a formal referendum. He warned that low public participation and widespread voter disengagement reflect a growing decline in public trust regarding the economic and political leadership of the Virgin Islands.
Primary source: BVI Platinum