The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC) played a pivotal role in supporting a groundbreaking art competition during Diabetes Awareness Month, partnering with the Grenada Diabetes Association’s St David’s branch and local educational institutions. The initiative successfully merged artistic creativity with crucial health messaging for Grenada’s youth.
The award ceremony, held on February 4, 2026, at St Theresa RC School, coincided with the institution’s first Parent-Teacher Association meeting of the year. The event gathered students, parents, educators, and health advocates to celebrate both artistic achievement and the importance of healthy living practices.
GFNC’s comprehensive support included educational resources and practical tools for sustainable nutrition education. The council distributed specially designed 2026-2027 Food Based Dietary Guideline-themed calendars to award recipients and school leadership. Additionally, GFNC provided extensive nutritional education materials to the PTA and facilitated an expert presentation by Nutritionist Masha Benjamin-Hunte, who offered practical strategies for incorporating fruits and vegetables into children’s daily diets.
The competition featured age-appropriate creative activities that effectively connected artistic expression with nutritional education. Four-year-old participants engaged with GFNC-designed activity sheets, coloring various fruits and vegetables to learn identification through interactive fun. Older students, divided into 5-8 and 9-12 age groups, created original artwork based on two thematic concepts: “My Lunchbox from the Garden” showcasing healthy local items like guava, banana, mango, and breadfruit chips, and “Shop Local, Snack Local” depicting local markets and home kitchens utilizing regional produce.
The competition recognized outstanding participants across all age categories. In the 4-year-old division, Shawn Hazzard claimed first place, followed by Rhea Victor and Kayson Wilson. Among 5-8-year-olds, Lily Charles earned top honors with Kalisha Honore and Savana Joseph receiving second and third places respectively. The 9-12 category saw Samera Bartholomew secure first place, with Renisha Antoine and Wyhatt St Bernard completing the top three positions.
This innovative approach demonstrates GFNC’s ongoing commitment to developing engaging, educational experiences that address nutrition security and diabetes prevention through creative, community-based initiatives.