How do we build a more resilient food system on Bonaire? What do local farmers need to grow more fresh produce and strengthen the island’s food security? These were the key questions during a visit from members of the Dutch Parliament’s Committee on Kingdom Relations to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) on May 9.
Led by Committee Chair Olger van Dijk (NSC), the delegation included Raoul White (GroenLinks–PvdA), Aukje de Vries (VVD), Faith Bruyning (NSC), Mpanzu Bamenga (D66), Don Ceder (Christian Union), and committee clerk Eva Meijers.
During their visit, the MPs toured various farming sites and sat down with Bonairean farmers from B-Fresh, Daily Fresh, Queen Clarita, Nature Cooking, Island Tings, and Bon Tera. The conversation focused on the challenges and opportunities facing local agriculture—like high costs for water and animal feed, the need for better training, and stronger support from government.
“Our farmers have the passion and the skills. What we need now is more structural support to grow and feed our community,” one participant shared.
For many of the visiting MPs, it was an eye-opening experience. They emphasized the importance of direct dialogue and promised to take the farmers’ stories and suggestions back to The Hague, with the goal of shaping future policy that works for Bonaire.
